"Over there, at the end of the room," said the young man, pointing to a part of the room where the dance was more than usually gay and animated.
"You will recognize him by his waistcoat; and his trousers are not to be despised. I shall have a pair like them made with the skin of the very first hound I meet."
Morgan did not take time to ask in what way Tiffauges" waistcoat was remarkable, or by what queer cut or precious material his trousers had won the approbation of a man as expert in such matters as he who had spoken to him. He went straight to the point indicated by the young man, saw the person he was seeking dancing an ete, which seemed, by the intricacy of its weaving, if I may be pardoned for this technical term, to have issued from the salons of Vestris himself.
Morgan made a sign to the dancer. Tiffauges stopped instantly, bowed to his partner, led her to her seat, excused himself on the plea of the urgency of the matter which called him away, and returned to take Morgan"s arm.
"Did you see him," Tiffauges asked Morgan.
"I have just left him," replied the latter.
"Did you deliver the King"s letter?"
"To himself."
"Did he read it?"
"At once."
"Has he sent an answer?"
"Two; one verbal, one written; the second dispenses with the first."
"You have it?"
"Here it is."
"Do you know the contents?"
"A refusal."
"Positive?"
"Nothing could be more positive."
"Does he know that from the moment he takes all hope away from us we shall treat him as an enemy?"
"I told him so."
"What did he answer?"
"He didn"t answer; he shrugged his shoulders."
"What do you think his intentions are?"
"It"s not difficult to guess."
"Does he mean to keep the power himself?"
"It looks like it."
"The power, but not the throne?"
"Why not the throne?"
"He would never dare to make himself king."
"Oh! I can"t say he means to be absolutely king, but I"ll answer for it that he means to be something."
"But he is nothing but a soldier of fortune!"
"My dear fellow, better in these days to be the son of his deeds, than the grandson of a king."
The young man thought a moment.
"I shall report it all to Cadoudal," he said.
"And add that the First Consul said these very words: "I hold the Vendee in the hollow of my hand, and if I choose in three months not another shot will be fired.""
"It"s a good thing to know."
"You know it; let Cadoudal know it, and take measures."
Just then the music ceased; the hum of the dancers died away; complete silence prevailed; and, in the midst of this silence, four names were p.r.o.nounced in a sonorous and emphatic voice.
These four names were Morgan, Montbar, Adler and d"a.s.sas.
"Pardon me," Morgan said to Tiffauges, "they are probably arranging some expedition in which I am to take part. I am forced, therefore, to my great regret, to bid you farewell. Only before I leave you let me look closer at your waistcoat and trousers, of which I have heard--curiosity of an amateur; I trust you will excuse it."
"Surely!" exclaimed the young Vendean, "most willingly."
CHAPTER XXVII. THE BEAR"S SKIN
With a rapidity and good nature that did honor to his courtesy, he went close to the candelabra, which were burning on the chimney-piece. The waistcoat and trousers seemed to be of the same stuff; but what was that stuff? The most experienced connoisseur would have been puzzled.
The trousers were tight-fitting as usual, of a light tint between buff and flesh color; the only remarkable thing about them was the absence of the seam, and the closeness with which they clung to the leg.
The waistcoat, on the other hand, had two characteristic signs which attracted attention; it had been pierced by three b.a.l.l.s, which had the holes gaping, and these were stained a carmine, so like blood, that it might easily have been mistaken for it. On the left side was painted a b.l.o.o.d.y heart, the distinguishing sign of the Vendeans. Morgan examined the two articles with the closest attention, but without result.
"If I were not in such a hurry," said he, "I should like to look into the matter for myself. But you heard for yourself; in all probability, some news has reached the committee; government money probably. You can announce it to Cadoudal; only we shall have to take it first.
Ordinarily, I command these expeditions; if I delay, some one may take my place. So tell me what your waistcoat and trousers are made of."
"My dear Morgan," replied the Vendean, "perhaps you have heard that my brother was captured near Bressure, and shot by the Blues?"
"Yes, I know that."
"The Blues were retreating; they left the body at the corner of the hedge. We were pursuing them so closely that we arrived just after them.