“I shall not fail to do so.”

“Ah! my dear Chicot,” cried Gorenflot, who already believed himself a bishop.

“But first I have two requests to make.”

“Speak.”

“First, money, which the king will restore to you.”

“Money!  I have my coffers full.”

“Ma foi! you are lucky.”

“Will you have 1,000 crowns?”

“No, that is far too much; I am modest in my tastes, humble in my desires, and my title of ambassador does not make me proud; therefore 100 crowns will suffice.”

“Here they are; and the second thing?”

“An attendant!”

“An attendant?”

“Yes, to accompany me; I love society.”

“Ah! my friend, if I were but free, as formerly.”

“But you are not.”

“Greatness enslaves me,” murmured Gorenflot.

“Alas!” said Chicot, “one cannot do everything at once.  But not being able to have your honorable company, my dear prior, I will content myself with that of the little Jacques; he pleases me.”

“You are right, Chicot, he is a rare lad.”

“I am going to take him 250 leagues, if you will permit it.”

“He is yours, my friend.”

The prior struck a bell, and when the servant appeared said, “Let Brother Jacques come here, and also our messenger.”

Ten minutes after both appeared at the door.

“Jacques,” said Gorenflot, “I give you a special mission.”

“Me!” cried the young man, astonished.

“Yes, you are to accompany M. Robert Briquet on a long journey.”

“Oh!” cried he, enthusiastically, “that will be delightful.  We shall fight every day—­shall we not, monsieur?”

“Yes, my child.”

“And I may take my arquebuse?”

“Certainly.”

Jacques bounded joyfully from the room.

“As to the message, I beg you to give your orders.  Advance, Brother
Panurge.”

CHAPTER XXIII.

The penitent.

Panurge advanced.  He looked intelligent, but like a fox.

“Do you know the Louvre?” said Chicot.

“Yes, monsieur.”

“And in the Louvre a certain Henri de Valois?”

“The king?”

“People generally call him so.”

“Is it to him that I am to go?”

“Just so.  You will ask to speak to him.”

“Will they let me?”

“Yes, till you come to his valet-de-chambre.  Your frock is a passport, for the king is very religious.”

“And what shall I say to the valet-de-chambre?”

“Say you are sent by the shade.”

“What shade?”

“Curiosity is a vice, my brother.”

“Pardon!”

“Say then that you want the letter.”

“What letter?”

“Again!”

“Ah! true.”

“You will add that the shade will wait for it, going slowly along the road to Charenton.”