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The Queen's Necklace, a novel by Alexandre Dumas |
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Chapter 26. The Ambassador |
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_ CHAPTER XXVI. THE AMBASSADOR On the evening of the next day a traveling-carriage passed through the Barriere d'Enfer, so covered with dust and scratches that no one could discern the arms. The four horses that drew it went at a rapid pace, until it arrived before an hotel of handsome appearance, in the Rue de la Jussienne, at the door of which two men, one of whom was in full dress, were waiting. The carriage entered the courtyard of the hotel, and one of the persons waiting approached the door, and commenced speaking in bad Portuguese. "Who are you?" said a voice from the inside, speaking the language perfectly. "The unworthy chancellor of the embassy, your excellency." "Very well. Mon Dieu! how badly you speak our language, my dear chancellor! But where are we to go?" "This way, monseigneur." "This is a poor reception," said Don Manoel, as he got out of the carriage, leaning on the arms of his secretary and valet. "Your excellency must pardon me," said the chancellor, "but the courier announcing your arrival only reached the hotel at two o'clock to-day. I was absent on some business, and when I returned, found your excellency's letter; I have only had time to have the rooms opened and lighted." "Very good." "It gives me great pleasure to see the illustrious person of our ambassador." "We desire to keep as quiet as possible," said Don Manoel, "until we receive further orders, from Lisbon. But pray show me to my room, for I am dying with fatigue; my secretary will give you all necessary directions." The chancellor bowed respectfully to Beausire, who returned it, and then said, "We will speak French, sir; I think it will be better for both of us." "Yes," murmured the chancellor, "I shall be more at my ease; for I confess that my pronunciation----" "So I hear," interrupted Beausire. "I will take the liberty to say to you, sir, as you seem so amiable, that I trust M. de Souza will not be annoyed at my speaking such bad Portuguese." "Oh, not at all, as you speak French." "French!" cried the chancellor; "I was born in the Rue St. Honore." "Oh, that will do," said Beausire. "Your name is Ducorneau, is it not?" "Yes, monsieur; rather a lucky one, as it has a Spanish termination. It is very flattering to me that monsieur knew my name." "Oh, you are well known; so well that we did not bring a chancellor from Lisbon with us." "I am very grateful, monsieur; but I think M. de Souza is ringing." "Let us go and see." They found Manoel attired in a magnificent dressing-gown. Several boxes and dressing-cases, of rich appearance, were already unpacked and lying about. "Enter," said he to the chancellor. "Will his excellency be angry if I answer in French?" said Ducorneau, in a low voice, to Beausire. "Oh, no; I am sure of it." M. Ducorneau, therefore, paid the compliments in French. "Oh, it is very convenient that you speak French so well, M. Ducorno," said the ambassador. "He takes me for a Portuguese," thought the chancellor, with joy. "Now," said Manoel, "can I have supper?" "Certainly, your excellency. The Palais Royal is only two steps from here, and I know an excellent restaurant, from which your excellency can have a good supper in a very short time." "Order it in your own name, if you please, M. Ducorno." "And if your excellency will permit me, I will add to it some bottles of capital wine." "Oh, our chancellor keeps a good cellar, then?" said Beausire, jokingly. "It is my only luxury," replied he. And now, by the wax-lights, they could remark his rather red nose and puffed cheeks. "Very well, M. Ducorno; bring your wine, and sup with us." "Such an honor----" "Oh, no etiquette to-night; I am only a traveler. I shall not begin to be ambassador till to-morrow; then we will talk of business." "Monseigneur will permit me to arrange my toilet." "Oh, you are superb already," said Beausire. "Yes, but this is a reception dress, and not a gala one." "Remain as you are, monsieur, and give the time to expediting our supper." Ducorneau, delighted, left the room to fulfil his orders. Then the three rogues, left together, began to discuss their affairs. "Does this chancellor sleep here?" said Manoel. "No; the fellow has a good cellar, and, I doubt not, a snug lodging somewhere or other. He is an old bachelor." "There is a Suisse." "We must get rid of him; and there are a few valets, whom we must replace to-morrow with our own friends." "Who is in the kitchen department?" "No one. The old ambassador did not live here; he had a house in the town." "What about the strong-box?" "Oh, on that point we must consult the chancellor; it is a delicate matter." "I charge myself with it," said Beausire; "we are already capital friends." "Hush! here he comes." Ducorneau entered, quite out of breath. He had ordered the supper, and fetched six bottles of wine from his cellar, and was looking quite radiant at the thoughts of the coming repast. "Will your excellency descend to the dining-room?" "No, we will sup up here." "Here is the wine, then," said Ducorneau. "It sparkles like rubies," said Beausire, holding it to the light. "Sit down, M. Ducorneau; my valet will wait upon us. What day did the last despatches arrive?" "Immediately after the departure of your excellency's predecessor." "Are the affairs of the embassy in good order?" "Oh yes, monseigneur." "No money difficulties? no debts?" "Not that I know of." "Because, if there are, we must begin by paying them." "Oh, your excellency will have nothing of that sort to do. All the accounts were paid up three weeks ago; and the day after the departure of the late ambassador one hundred thousand francs arrived here." "One hundred thousand francs?" said Beausire. "Yes, in gold." "So," said Beausire, "the box contains----" "100,380 francs, monsieur." "It is not much," said Manoel, coldly; "but, happily, her majesty has placed funds at my disposal. I told you," continued he, turning to Beausire, "that I thought we should need it at Paris." "Your excellency took wise precautions," said Beausire, respectfully. From the time of this important communication the hilarity of the party went on increasing. A good supper, consisting of salmon, crabs, and sweets, contributed to their satisfaction. Ducorneau, quite at his ease, ate enough for ten, and did not fail, either, in demonstrating that a Parisian could do honor to port and sherry. _ |
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