“This is what is called ‘suffering for license sake,’” said Mistigris.

“You see I did know the count,” said Oscar.

“Possibly.  But you’ll never be an ambassador,” replied Georges.  “When people want to talk in public conveyances, they ought to be careful, like me, to talk without saying anything.”

“That’s what speech is for,” remarked Mistigris, by way of conclusion.

The count returned to his seat and the coucou rolled on amid the deepest silence.

“Well, my friends,” said the count, when they reached the Carreau woods, “here we all are, as silent as if we were going to the scaffold.”

“‘Silence gives content,’” muttered Mistigris.

“The weather is fine,” said Georges.

“What place is that?” said Oscar, pointing to the chateau de Franconville, which produces a fine effect at that particular spot, backed, as it is, by the noble forest of Saint-Martin.

“How is it,” cried the count, “that you, who say you go so often to Presles, do not know Franconville?”

“Monsieur knows men, not castles,” said Mistigris.

“Budding diplomatists have so much else to take their minds,” remarked Georges.

“Be so good as to remember my name,” replied Oscar, furious.  “I am Oscar Husson, and ten years hence I shall be famous.”

After that speech, uttered with bombastic assumption, Oscar flung himself back in his corner.

“Husson of what, of where?” asked Mistigris.

“It is a great family,” replied the count.  “Husson de la Cerisaie; monsieur was born beneath the steps of the Imperial throne.”

Oscar colored crimson to the roots of his hair, and was penetrated through and through with a dreadful foreboding.

They were now about to descend the steep hill of La Cave, at the foot of which, in a narrow valley, flanked by the forest of Saint-Martin, stands the magnificent chateau of Presles.

“Messieurs,” said the count, “I wish you every good fortune in your various careers.  Monsieur le colonel, make your peace with the King of France; the Czerni-Georges ought not to snub the Bourbons.  I have nothing to wish for you, my dear Monsieur Schinner; your fame is already won, and nobly won by splendid work.  But you are much to be feared in domestic life, and I, being a married man, dare not invite you to my house.  As for Monsieur Husson, he needs no protection; he possesses the secrets of statesmen and can make them tremble.  Monsieur Leger is about to pluck the Comte de Serizy, and I can only exhort him to do it with a firm hand.  Pierrotin, put me out here, and pick me up at the same place to-morrow,” added the count, who then left the coach and took a path through the woods, leaving his late companions confused and bewildered.

“He must be that count who has hired Franconville; that’s the path to it,” said Leger.

“If ever again,” said the false Schinner, “I am caught blague-ing in a public coach, I’ll fight a duel with myself.  It was your fault, Mistigris,” giving his rapin a tap on the head.