oh!" said she, "I have heard of many of these sorts of promises
beforehand, which often lead people to flatter themselves with wild
hopes, and at the last moment, when the time comes to keep the promises,
and have the hopes realized, they are surprised to see the great credit
upon which they reckoned vanish like smoke."

"Oh! madame, the credit of my protector is incontestable and his
promises are as good as deeds."

"And would it be indiscreet to ask you the name of this powerful
protector?"

"Oh! mon Dieu! no! it is that gentleman there," said Montalais,
pointing to Malicorne, who, during this scene, had preserved the most
imperturbable coolness, and the most comic dignity.

"Monsieur!" cried Madame de Saint-Remy, with an explosion of hilarity,
"monsieur is your protector! Is the man whose credit is so powerful, and
whose promises are as good as deeds, Monsieur Malicorne?"

Malicorne bowed.

As to Montalais, as her sole reply, she drew the brevet from her pocket,
and showed it to the old lady.

"Here is the brevet," said she.

At once all was over. As soon as she had cast a rapid glance over
this fortunate brevet, the good lady clasped her hands, an unspeakable
expression of envy and despair contracted her countenance, and she
was obliged to sit down to avoid fainting. Montalais was not malicious
enough to rejoice extravagantly at her victory, or to overwhelm the
conquered enemy, particularly when that enemy was the mother of her
friend; she used then, but did not abuse, her triumph. Malicorne was
less generous; he assumed noble poses in his fauteuil, and stretched
himself out with a familiarity which, two hours earlier, would have
drawn upon him threats of a caning.

"Maid of honor to the young madame!" repeated Madame de Saint-Remy,
still but half convinced.

"Yes, madame, and through the protection of M. Malicorne, moreover."

"It is incredible!" repeated the old lady: "is it not incredible,
Louise?" But Louise did not reply; she was sitting, thoughtful, almost
sad; passing one hand over her beautiful brow she sighed heavily.

"Well, but, monsieur," said Madame de Saint-Remy, all at once, "how did
you manage to obtain this post?"

"I asked for it, madame."

"Of whom?"

"One of my friends."

"And have you friends sufficiently powerful at court to give you such
proofs of their credit?"

"It appears so."

"And may one ask the name of these friends?"

"I did not say I had many friends, madame,