almness,
the marquis stamped with vexation, and stood irresolute on the great
steps of the chateau, undecided whether he should start without the
valet or wait till he got better.

"What is the matter with the fellow, Jasmin?" said he, as the latter
appeared, bringing with him the travelling cloak, in order to deposit
it in the coach.

"It is a fever, monsieur," replied Jasmin, bowing, "nay, it may be
worse. Heaven send it be not the small-pox."

The marquis looked aghast. "I must go, there is no help for it," said
he. "Louis must attend me instead."

"I will fetch him instantly," said Jasmin; but in five minutes he
returned with the intelligence that Louis was not to be found, high or
low.

"Then I must go alone," exclaimed the marquis, irritably, "I cannot
wait. Stay, you have nothing to do, Jasmin, you can go with me."

"Monsieur honours me," replied Jasmin, with a bow. "If monsieur will
step in and proceed, I will follow without delay, and overtake the
carriage in a short quarter of an hour."

So the marquis entered the vehicle, saying to himself, "This is a
useful fellow--ready at a moment. I am not likely to miss Francois.
Indeed, I may find poor Isidore's man more useful to me as matters
stand."

Jasmin was as good as his word, and soon joined the equipage, which
proceeded on its journey. They then travelled with as much speed as
circumstances would allow, and reached Nantes on the following day just
as it was growing dusk, and put up at the great hotel of the place.
Immediately on their arrival, and before Jasmin had had time even to
change his travelling dress and heavy riding boots, he was summoned by
the marquis, who told him to repair at once to the inn kept by Jean
Perigord on the Quai La Fosse, and to desire the landlord to come to
him without a moment's delay at the Hotel du Roi.

The first thing which the valet did, however, was to read a letter
which Monsieur de Beaujardin gave to him to hand to Perigord. It ran
as follows:--

"MY GOOD BROTHER,

"The Marquis de Beaujardin, my master, is about to proceed to Nantes on
some business in which, as I am informed, you will be able to assist
him. Render him all the aid in your power, and do not hesitate to give
him any information you can, as the affair is one deeply concerning the
honour and welfare of the whole family, to which, as you know, I have
been so long and so devotedly attached.

"Always your loving Brother,
"ACHILLE PE