Would you mind telling me again
who I happen to be?"
No look of surprise stirred the barber's face; there came no change
in his extreme complaisance.
"You are the Count of Montcorbier, monseigneur," he answered,
gravely. "You have just arrived in Paris from the Court of Provence,
where you stood in high favour with the king of that country, but
your favour is, I believe, greater with the King of France, for he
has been pleased to make you Grand Constable. It is his majesty's
wish that you contrive to remember this."
Villon laughed a laugh which he tried hard to make hearty and
natural, but with indifferent success.
"Of course, it was most foolish of me to forget. I suppose, good
master Long-toes, that a person in my exalted rank has a good deal
of power, influence, authority, and what not?"
"With the king's favour, you are the first man in the realm."
Villon gave a gasp of gratification. The dream was growing in glory.
"Quite so. And does my exalted position carry with it any agreeable
perquisite in the way of pocket money?"
"If you will dip your finger in your pouch--" Olivier suggested,
pointing a thin forefinger at Villon's jewelled belt.
Pages:
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108