"To hoax the travellers and have a bit of fun I told them a lot of stuff about Egypt and Greece and Spain.

As I happened to be wearing spurs I have myself out for a colonel of cavalry: pure nonsense!" "Tell me," said Moreau, "what did this traveller you take to be Monsieur le comte look like ?" "Face like a brick," said Georges, "hair snow-white, and black eyebrows." "That is he!" "Then I'm lost!" exclaimed Georges.
"Why ?" "Oh, I chaffed him about his decorations." "Pooh! he's a good fellow; you probably amused him.

Come at once to the chateau.

I'll go in and see his Excellency.

Where did you say he left the coach ?" "At the top of the mountain." "I don't know what to make of it!" "After all," thought Georges, "though I did blague him, I didn't say anything insulting." "Why have you come here ?" asked the steward.
"I have brought the deed of sale for the farm at Moulineaux, all ready for signature." "Good heavens!" exclaimed the steward, "I don't understand one word of all this!" Moreau felt his heart beat painfully when, after giving two raps on his master's door, he heard the words:-- "Is that you, _Monsieur_ Moreau ?" "Yes, monseigneur." "Come in." The count was now wearing a pair of white trousers and thin boots, a white waistcoat and a black coat on which shone the grand cross of the Legion upon the right breast, and fastened to a buttonhole on the left was the order of the Golden Fleece hanging by a short gold chain.