"How modest and amiable he is!" said Gorenflot.
"On the contrary," whispered Chicot, "he is stupid with vanity. At his age I would have given anything for such a lesson," and he sat down again.
Jacques approached him, and admiration triumphing over the shame of defeat:
"Will you give me some lessons, M. Briquet?" said he; "the prior will permit it, will you not, your reverence?"
"I do not wish to interfere with your master," said Chicot, bowing to Borromée.
"Oh! I am not his only master," said he. "Neither all the honor nor the defeat are wholly due to me."
"Oh! no one!" cried Borromée, fearing he had committed an imprudence.
"I remember," said Gorenflot; "he is a little fat man who comes here sometimes and drinks well."
"I know it," said a monk who was standing by. "It is Bussy Leclerc."
"I cannot teach you," said Chicot. "I taught myself by reflection and practice; and I advise you to do the same."
Gorenflot and Chicot now returned to the house.
"I hope," said Gorenflot, with pride, "that this is a house worth something, and well managed."
"Wonderful! my friend; and when I return from my mission--"
"Ah! true, dear M. Chicot; let us speak of your mission."
"So much the more willingly, that I have a message to send to the king before I go."
"To the king, my dear friend! You correspond with the king?"
"Will you have one of our monks? It would be an honor to the priory."
"Then," said Gorenflot, "you can tell the king all that we are doing here in his favor."
"Ah! my dear Chicot," cried Gorenflot, who already believed himself a bishop.
"First, money, which the king will restore to you."
"No, that is far too much; I am modest in my tastes, humble in my desires, and my title of ambassador does not make me proud; therefore 100 crowns will suffice."
"Ah! my friend, if I were but free, as formerly."
"Greatness enslaves me," murmured Gorenflot.
"Alas!" said Chicot, "one cannot do everything at once. But not being able to have your honorable company, my dear prior, I will content myself with that of the little Jacques; he pleases me."
"You are right, Chicot, he is a rare lad."
"I am going to take him 250 leagues, if you will permit it."
The prior struck a bell, and when the servant appeared said, "Let Brother Jacques come here, and also our messenger."