done him to a turn. Come, let us go in."

"You have decided me," said the Provencal, laughing; "precede me, I
beg."

"Oh, sir, on my soul I could not think of it, for I am only your most
obedient servant, the Comte Annibal de Coconnas."

"And I, monsieur, but the Comte Joseph Hyacinthe Boniface de Lerac de la
Mole, equally at your service."

"Since that is the case, let us go in together, arm in arm."

The result of this conciliatory proposition was that the two young men
got off their horses, threw the bridles to the ostler, linked arms,
adjusted their swords, and approached the door of the inn, where the
landlord was standing. But contrary to the custom of men of his
profession, the worthy proprietor seemed not to notice them, so busy was
he talking with a tall, sallow man, wrapped in a drab-colored cloak like
an owl buried in his feathers.

The two gentlemen were so near the landlord and his friend in the
drab-colored cloak that Coconnas, indignant that he and his companion
should be treated with such lack of consideration, touched the
landlord's sleeve.

He appeared suddenly to perceive them, and dismissed his friend with an
"_Au revoir!_ come soon and let me know the hour appointed."

"Well, _monsieur le drole_," said Coconnas, "do not you see we have
business with you?"

"I beg pardon, gentlemen," said the host; "I did not see you."

"Eh, by Heaven! then you ought to have seen us; and now that you do see
us, say, 'Monsieur le Comte,' and not merely 'Monsieur,' if you please."

La Mole stood by, leaving Coconnas, who seemed to have undertaken the
affair, to speak; but by the scowling on his face it was evident that he
was ready to come to his assistance when the moment of action should
present itself.

"Well, what is your pleasure, Monsieur le Comte?" asked the landlord, in
a quiet tone.

"Ah, that's better; is it not?" said Coconnas, turning to La Mole, who
nodded affirmatively. "Monsieur le Comte and myself, attracted by the
sign of your establishment, wish to sup and sleep here to-night."

"Gentlemen," said the host, "I am very sorry, but I have only one
chamber, and I am afraid that would not suit you."

"So much the better," said La Mole; "we will go and lodge somewhere
else."

"By no means," said Coconnas, "I shall stay here; my horse is tired. I
will have the room, since you will not."

"Ah! that is quite different," replied the host, with the same cool tone
of impertinence. "If there