He got no farther; for M. de Laval, springing forward, seized my hand
and saluted me warmly. "Why, your excellency," he cried, in a tone of
boundless surprise, "what are you doing in this GALERE! All last
evening I waited for you, at my house, and now--"
"Here I am," I answered jocularly, "in charge it seems, M. le Comte!"
"MON DIEU!" he cried. "I don't understand it!"
I shrugged my shoulders. "Don't ask me," I said. "Perhaps your friend
the Mayor call tell you."
"But, Monsieur, I do not understand," the Mayor answered piteously, his
mouth agape with horror, his fat cheeks turning in a moment all
colours. "This gentleman, whom you seem to know, Monsieur le Comte--"
"Is the Marquis de Rosny, President of the Council, blockhead!" Laval
cried irately. "You madman! you idiot!" he continued, as light broke
in upon him, and he saw that it was indeed on a fool's errand that he
had been roused so early. "Is this your conspiracy? Have you dared to
bring me here--"
But I thought that it was time to interfere. "The truth is," I said,
"that M. Grabot here is not so much to blame. He was the victim of a
trick which these rascals played on him; and in an idle moment I let it
go on. That is the whole secret. However, I forgive him for his
officiousness since it brings us together, and I shall now have the
pleasure of your company to Vitre."
Laval assented heartily to this, and I did not think fit to tell him
more, nor did he inquire; the Mayor's stupidity passing current for
all. For M. Grabot himself, I think that I never saw a man more
completely confounded. He stood staring with his mouth open; and, as
much deserted as the statesman who has fallen from office, had not the
least credit even with his own sycophants, who to a man deserted him
and flocked about the Mayor of Gol. Though I had no reason to pity
him, and, indeed, thought him well punished, I took the opportunity of
saying a word to him before I mounted; which, though it was only a hint
that he should deal gently with the woman of the house, was received
with servility equal to the arrogance he had before displayed; and I
doubt not it had all the effect I desired. For the strollers, I did
not forget them, but bade them hasten to Vitre, where I would see a
performance. They did so, and hitting the fancy of Zamet, who chanced
to be still there, and who thought that he saw profit in them, they
came on his invitation to Paris, where they took the Court by storm.
So that an episode trifling in itself, and such as on my part requires
some apology, had for them consequences of no little importance.