"Very well," returned Mascarin, "if this is the case, Master Chupin shall have a taste of prison fare." Beaumarchef withdrew, but almost immediately reappeared.
"Sir," said he, "a servant from M.de Croisenois is here with a note." "Send the man in," said Mascarin.
The domestic was irreproachably dressed, and looked what he was, the servant of a nobleman.
He had something the appearance of an Englishman, with a high collar, reaching almost to his ears.

His face was clean shaved, and of a ruddy hue.

His coat was evidently the work of a London tailor, and his appearance was as stiff as though carved out of wood.

Indeed, he looked like a very perfect piece of mechanism.
"My master," said he, "desired me to give this note into your own hands." Under cover of breaking the seal, Mascarin viewed this model servant attentively.

He was a stranger to him, for he had never supplied Croisenois with a domestic.
"It seems, my good fellow," said he, "that your master was up earlier than usual this morning ?" The man frowned a little at this familiar address, and then slowly replied,-- "When I took service with the Marquis, he agreed to give me fifteen louis over my wages for the privilege of calling me 'a good fellow,' but I permit no one to do so gratis.