For the duchess I should have had to wait some time, but for company I did not wait long; after about ten minutes I perceived a small, spare, dark-complexioned man coming along the path toward me and toward the house.

He must have made a short cut from the road, escaping the winding of the carriage-way.

He wore decent but rather shabby clothes, and carried a small valise in his hand.

Stopping opposite to me, he raised his hat and seemed to scan my neat blue brass-buttoned coat and white cords with interest.
"You belong to the household of the duke, sir ?" he asked, with a polite lift of his hat.
I explained that I did--for the moment.
"Then you think of leaving, sir ?" "I do," I said, "as soon as I can; I am only engaged for the time." "You do not happen to know, sir, if the duke requires a well-qualified indoor servant?
I should be most grateful if you would present me to him.
I heard in Paris that a servant had left him; but he started so suddenly that I could not get access to him, and I have followed him here." "It's exactly what he does want, I believe, sir," said I."If I were you, I would go to the house and obtain entrance.

The duke expects guests to-morrow." "But yourself, sir?
Are not your services sufficient for the present ?" "As you perceive," said I, indicating my attire, "I am not an indoor servant.