a conclusion with Madame de
Saint-Remy, and he turned round:--

"What is the question, mademoiselle?"

"Come hither, Malicorne," said Montalais, with an imperious gesture.
Malicorne obeyed.

"A brevet like this," said Montalais.

"How so?"

"A brevet like this; that is plain enough.

"But----"

"I want one--I must have one!"

"Oh! oh! you must have one!"

"Yes."

"It is impossible, is it not, M. Malicorne?" said Louise, with her
sweet, soft voice.

"If it is for you, mademoiselle----"

"For me. Yes, Monsieur Malicorne, it would be for me."

"And if Mademoiselle de Montalais asks it at the same time----"

"Mademoiselle de Montalais does not ask it, she requires it."

"Well! we will endeavor to obey you, mademoiselle."

"And you will have her named?"

"We will try."

"No evasive answers. Louise de la Valliere shall be maid of honor to
Madame Henrietta within a week."

"How you talk!"

"Within a week, or else----"

"Well! or else?"

"You may take back your brevet, Monsieur Malicorne; I will not leave my
friend."

"Dear Montalais!"

"That is right. Keep your brevet, Mademoiselle de la Valliere shall be a
maid of honor."

"Is that true?"

"Quite true."

"I may then hope to go to Paris?"

"Depend upon it."

"Oh! Monsieur Malicorne, what joy!" cried Louise, clapping her hands,
and bounding with pleasure.

"Little dissembler!" said Montalais, "try again to make me believe you
are not in love with Raoul."

Louise blushed like a rose in June, but instead of replying, she ran and
embraced her mother. "Madame," said she, "do you know that M. Malicorne
is going to have me appointed maid of honor?"

"M. Malicorne is a prince in disguise," replied the old lady, "he is
all-powerful, seemingly."

"Should you also like to be maid of honor?" asked Malicorne of Madame
de Saint-Remy. "Whilst I am about it, I might as well get everybody
appointed."

And upon that he went away, leaving the poor lady quite disconcerted.

"Humph!" murmured Malicorne as he descended the stairs,--"Humph! there
goes another note of a thousand livres! but I must get through as well
as I can; my friend Manicamp does nothing for nothing."

CHAPTER 79. Malicorne and Manicamp

The introduction of these two new personages into this history and that
mysterious affinity of names and sentiments, merit some attention on the
part of both historian and reader. We will then enter into some details
concerning Mes