I suppose you have grown proud since you got that fat appointment
at Court!' And he laughed out loud, so that I confess I was in
two minds whether I should not force the jest down his ugly
throat.

However I restrained myself, though my cheeks burned. 'You have
heard about it, then,' I said, striving to speak indifferently.

'Who has not?' he said, laughing with his lips, though his eyes
were far from merry. 'The Sieur de Marsac's appointment! Ha!
ha! Why, man--'

'Enough of it now!' I exclaimed. And I dare say I writhed on my
seat. 'As far as I am concerned the jest is a stale one, sir,
and does not amuse me.'

'But it amuses me,' he rejoined with a grin.

'Let it be, nevertheless,' I said; and I think he read a warning
in my eyes. 'I have come to speak to you upon another matter.'

He did not refuse to listen, but threw one leg over the other,
and looking up at the inn-sign began to whistle in a rude,
offensive manner. Still, having an object in view, I controlled
myself and continued. 'It is this, my friend: money is not very
plentiful at present with either of us.'

Before I could say any more he turned on me savagely, and with a
loud oath thrust his bloated face, flushed with passion, close to
mine. 'Now look here, M. de Marsac!' he cried violently, 'once