Where are those fifty pistoles ?" "Here," said Malicorne, slapping his pocket.
"Then speak, my friend; what do you want ?" Malicorne took up the pen, ink, and paper again, and presented them all to Manicamp.

"Write!" said he.
"Dictate!" "An order for a place in the household of Monsieur." "Oh!" said Manicamp, laying down the pen, "a place in the household of Monsieur for fifty pistoles ?" "You mistook me, my friend; you did not hear plainly." "What did you say, then ?" "I said five hundred." "And the five hundred ?" "Here they are." Manicamp devoured the rouleau with his eyes; but this time Malicorne held it at a distance.
"Eh! what do you say to that?
Five hundred pistoles." "I say it is for nothing, my friend," said Manicamp, taking up the pen again, "and you exhaust my credit.

Dictate." Malicorne continued: "Which my friend the Comte de Guiche will obtain for my friend Malicorne." "That's it," said Manicamp.
"Pardon me, you have forgotten to sign." "Ah! that is true.

The five hundred pistoles ?" "Here are two hundred and fifty of them." "And the other two hundred and fifty ?" "When I am in possession of my place." Manicamp made a face.
"In that case give me the recommendation back again." "What to do ?" "To add two words to it." "Two words ?" "Yes; two words only." "What are they ?" "In haste." Malicorne returned the recommendation; Manicamp added the words.
"Good," said Malicorne, taking back the paper.
Manicamp began to count out the pistoles.
"There want twenty," said he.
"How so ?" "The twenty I have won." "In what way ?" "By laying that you would have the letter from the Comte de Guiche in eight hours." "Ah! that's fair," and he gave him the twenty pistoles.
Manicamp began to scoop up his gold by handfuls, and pour it in cascades upon his bed.
"This second place," murmured Malicorne, whilst drying his paper, "which, at first glance appears to cost me more than the first, but--" He stopped, took up the pen in his turn, and wrote to Montalais:-- "MADEMOISELLE,--Announce to your friend that her commission will not be long before it arrives; I am setting out to get it signed: that will be twenty-eight leagues I shall have gone for the love of you." Then with his sardonic smile, taking up the interrupted sentence:--"This place," said he, "at first glance, appears to have cost more than the first; but--the benefit will be, I hope, in proportion with the expense, and Mademoiselle de la Valliere will bring me back more than Mademoiselle de Montalais, or else,--or else my name is not Malicorne.
Farewell, Manicamp," and he left the room..