La Constantin | Page 5

all the good in the world to be bled now and then.
But what would be an advantage to me would be dangerous to you. It's
easy to see from your jaundiced phiz that for you blood-letting is no
cure."
"And you would really go that length? You would risk a duel if I
refused to let you get to the bottom of my mystery?"
"Yes, on my honour! Well, how is it to be?"
"My dear boy," said de Jars to the youth, "we are caught, and may as
well yield gracefully. You don't know this big fellow as well as I do.
He's obstinacy itself. You can make the most obstinate donkey go on
by pulling its tail hard enough, but when Jeannin gets a notion into his
pate, not all the legions of hell can get it out again. Besides that, he's a
skilful fencer, so there's nothing for it but to trust him."
"Just as you like," said the young man; "you know all my
circumstances and how important it is that my secret should be kept."
"Oh! among Jeannin's many vices there are a few virtues, and of these
discretion is the greatest, so that his curiosity is harmless. A quarter of
an hour hence he will let himself be killed rather than reveal what just
now he is ready to risk his skin to find out, whether we will or no."

Jeannin nodded approvingly, refilled the glasses, and raising his to his
lips, said in a tone of triumph--
"I am listening, commander."
"Well, if it must be, it must. First of all, learn that my nephew is not my
nephew at all."
"Go on."
"That his name is not Moranges."
"And the next?"
"I am not going to reveal his real name to you."
"Why not?"
"Because I don't know ft myself, and no more does the chevalier."
"What' nonsense!"
"No nonsense at all, but the sober truth. A few months ago the
chevalier carne to Paris, bringing me a letter of introduction from a
German whom I used to know years ago. This letter requested me to
look after the bearer and help him in his investigations. As you said just
now, Love and someone once met somewhere, and that was about all
was known as to his origin. Naturally the young man wants to cut a
figure in the world, and would like to discover the author of his
existence, that he may have someone at hand to pay the debts he is
going to incur. We have brought together every scrap of information
we could collect as to this person, hoping to find therein a clue that we
could follow up. To be quite open with you, and convince you at the
same time how extremely prudent and discreet we must be, I must tell
you that we think we have found one, and that it leads to no less a
dignitary than a Prince of the Church. But if he should get wind of our
researches too soon everything would be at an end, don't you see? So
keep your tongue between your teeth."

"Never fear," said Jeannin.
"Now, that's what I call speaking out as a friend should. I wish you luck,
my gallant Chevalier de Moranges, and until you unearth your father, if
you want a little money, my purse is at your service. On my word, de
Jars, you must have been born with a caul. There never was your equal
for wonderful adventures. This one promises well-spicy intrigues,
scandalous revelations, and you'll be in the thick of it all. You're a
lucky fellow! It's only a few months since you had the most splendid
piece of good fortune sent you straight from heaven. A fair lady falls in
love with you and makes you carry her off from the convent of La
Raquette. But why do you never let anyone catch a glimpse of her? Are
you jealous? Or is it that she is no such beauty, after all, but old and
wrinkled, like that knave of a Mazarin?"
"I know what I'm about," answered de Jars, smiling; "I have my very
good reasons. The elopement caused a great deal of indignation, and it's
not easy to get fanatics to listen to common sense. No, I am not in the
least jealous; she is madly in love with me. Ask my nephew."
"Does he know her?"
"We have no secrets from each other; the confidence between us is
without a flaw. The fair one, believe me, is good to look on, and is
worth all the ogling, fan-flirting baggages put together that one sees at
court or on the balconies of the Palais Roy: ah! I'll answer for that. Isn't
she, Moranges?"
"I'm quite of your opinion,"