He found the Comte de Guiche in the courtyard of the Hotel Grammont, inspecting his horses, which his trainers and equerries were passing in review before him.

The count, in the presence of his tradespeople and of his servants, was engaged in praising or blaming, as the case seemed to deserve, the appointments, horses, and harness that were being submitted to him; when, in the midst of this important occupation, the name of Manicamp was announced.
"Manicamp!" he exclaimed; "let him enter by all means." And he advanced a few steps toward the door.
Malicorne slipped through the half-open door, and looking at the Comte de Guiche, who was surprised to see a face he did not recognize, instead of the one he expected, said: "Forgive me, monsieur le comte, but I believe a mistake has been made.

M.Manicamp himself was announced to you, instead of which it is only an envoy from him." "Ah!" exclaimed De Guiche, coldly; "and what do you bring me ?" "A letter, monsieur le comte." Malicorne handed him the first document, and narrowly watched the count's face, who, as he read it, began to laugh.
"What!" he exclaimed, "another maid of honor?
Are all the maids of honor in France, then, under his protection ?" Malicorne bowed.
"Why does he not come himself ?" he inquired.
"He is confined to his bed." "The deuce! he has no money then, I suppose," said De Guiche, shrugging his shoulders.

"What does he do with his money ?" Malicorne made a movement, to indicate that upon this subject he was as ignorant as the count himself.

"Why does he not make use of his credit, then ?" continued De Guiche.
"With regard to that, I think--" "What ?" "That Manicamp has credit with no one but yourself, monsieur le comte!" "He will not be at Le Havre, then ?" Whereupon Malicorne made another movement.
"But every one will be there." "I trust, monsieur le comte, that he will not neglect so excellent an opportunity." "He should be at Paris by this time." "He will take the direct road perhaps to make up for lost time." "Where is he now ?" "At Orleans." "Monsieur," said De Guiche, "you seem to me a man of very good taste." Malicorne was wearing some of Manicamp's old-new clothes.