M. de Morin went up two storeys of a house in the Rue Taitbout, and
rang. His servant, who was waiting up for him, came at once to open
the door. The young painter went straight towards his bedroom, and,
addressing the individual who was following him, candlestick in hand,
said—
"Joseph, I am going to bed at once, and I must be called at five
o'clock to-morrow morning."
"Are you going on a journey, sir?"
"Not at present."
"Then shall I get ready your shooting things, sir?"
"No, I am not going out shooting. You will merely have ready for me
the things I am going to take off."
Joseph, like the well-bred domestic that he was, gave no sign of the
astonishment which the order caused him; but, whilst his master was
undressing, he thought he might venture on saying—
"Will you kindly grant me, sir, a moment's conversation?"
M. de Morin, who was unbuttoning his waistcoat, raised his head,
looked at his valet, who was standing at attention before him,
impassible, respectful, correct in every detail, and then, satisfied,
apparently, with his inspection, replied—
"Say on, but be brief—I want to go to sleep."
"Rumours," commenced Joseph with an air of great importance, "have
been current in Paris for several days past about a design which you,
sir, are supposed to have formed—I make bold to ask you, sir, if
there is any foundation for these rumours?"
"To what rumours do you allude?" asked M. de Morin, whilst his
servant, on his knees, was taking off his master's boots.
"It is said that you cherish the idea, sir, of setting out for Africa
very shortly."
"And it is true. To re-echo your expression, I do cherish that idea."
"Is it your intention, sir, to take me with you?"
"I had not thought of it."
"Would it be inconvenient to you, sir, if, at my request, you allow
me to accompany you? I might be of some use, as I was a long time in
Africa."
"As how?" asked M. de Morin.
"As _valet de chambre_ to a General."
"And in what part of Africa did you live?"
"In Algiers, sir."
"And you never went out of it?"
"Never."
"That," observed M. de Morin, as he got between the sheets, "will
hardly give you a very comprehensive idea of the country which I am
about to visit. So I advise you to reflect a little, and to gather
some further information before persisting in your request that I
should take you with me. Algiers is a town where one goes to recover
one's health, whereas you lose it, as a rule, even if you are lucky
enough to preserve your life, in that part of Africa which I propose
to traverse."
"That is a matter of no importance, sir," said Joseph, as he tucked
his master in. "Africa tempts me, and I take the liberty of repeating
my request."
"All right, then. I will see about it, and mention your request to my
companions. What increase in wages do you ask if you go with me?"
"None at all, sir. The pleasure of travelling with you, sir, is
sufficient. I merely take the liberty of mentioning three wishes."
"Out with them, then, because I am going to sleep."
"The first," replied Joseph, once more at attention in front of his
master's bed, "is to secure a small annuity for my family, in case I
should die during the expedition."
"That appears to me reasonable enough. Now for the second, for I am
half-asleep as it is."
"The second consists of being allowed, on setting foot in Africa, to
wear a bûrnus."
This idea appeared so irresistibly comic to M. de Morin that he sat
up in bed.
Fearing that he had gone too far in his demands, Joseph hastened to
add—
"Pray do not alarm yourself, sir. I will only wear the bûrnus whilst
on the march. When I am in attendance on you, sir, you may be assured
that I shall appear in my usual dress. I know the proprieties, sir."
"Be it so, then. And your third wish?"
"Is, that you, sir, will be kind enough to allow me to change my name
of Joseph to that of Mohammed. Ever since I lived in Algeria I have
dreamt of calling myself Mohammed."
M. de Morin had all his work cut out to keep his countenance over
this fresh request. However, he replied, with the utmost gravity—
"If I take you with me to Africa you shall wear a bûrnus and a turban
to boot. If you like, you shall call yourself Mohammed; and, in order
that you may be at hand, I will find you a horse, an ass, or a camel,
according to circumstances."
"You overwhelm me, sir," said Joseph. "Oh, I never dared dream of a
camel!"
"You deserve one, Joseph; you deserve one, and you shall have one.
But, for the present, allow me to go to sleep. Do you go to bed, too,
and don't forget to call me at five, as I have already told you.
By-the-way, you may as well bring me something when I awake—it does not
matter what."
"A cup of _café noir_, sir?" asked Joseph.
"No, thank you. That would disturb my nerves, and I have need of all
my coolness. A plate of soup and a glass of claret will do. Off with
you!"
The door shut, and the future explorer of Africa was speedily in the
land of dreams.