ter to the Count, and the note from the Countess which
I had found upon Monsieur de Merri. The former I destroyed, at the fire
in the inn kitchen: the latter I kept, and keep to this day. Besides
these, there were my purse; a quantity of gold, out of which I repaid
myself the amount I had been robbed of; and the two keys, which I
subsequently restored to the Chateau de Lavardin, whence they had come.

We stayed the night at Bonneval. The next day the guardsmen started for
Paris, and our party of three for Montoire. As I took my leave of
Brignan de Brignan before the inn gate, I noticed that his moustaches
had undergone a diminution: indeed they now extended no further than his
lips. I supposed he had decided not to be distinguished by such marks
again. He expressed a hope of renewing acquaintance with me in Paris,
and rode off. The Countess, my father, and I turned our faces toward
Montoire, the Countess being now once more on Hugues's horse, which I
had left for a time at Bonneval. We had not gone very far, when a man
galloped after us, handed me a packet, and rode back as hastily as he
had come. I had scarce time to recognize him as a valet attached to the
party of guardsmen.

I opened the packet, and found a piece of paper, to which two wisps of
hair were fastened by a thread, and on which was written in a large,
dashing hand:

"_Behold my moustaches. Brignan de Brignan._"

And so, after all, I might keep my promise to Mlle. Celeste!

CHAPTER XIX.

AFTERWARDS

Two days later we arrived at Hugues's house, and were received with
great joy by him and Mathilde. Here the Countess, now happily improved
in health, resumed the attire of her sex, which she had there put off.
My father then accompanied her to the Chateau de Lavardin, and made her
known to the guardsman in command, by whom she was treated with the
utmost consideration. With Mathilde to attend her, she remained a few
days at the chateau, and then removed with her personal possessions to
the house of Hugues, whose marriage to Mathilde was no longer delayed.

But meanwhile my father and I stayed only a day at Montoire, lodging at
the inn there. I did not go to the chateau, but my father took thither
the two keys, and brought away my sword and dagger, which had been
hanging undisturbed in the hall. My farewell to the Countess was spoken
in front of Hugues's gate when she started thence for the chateau, and
not much was said, for my father and Hugue