"
"Yes, but, on the other hand, the head clerk told me that three days ago he
sold out an enormous amount of treasury bonds, and that--"
"Well! speak then."
"It is a secret."
"So much the more reason for telling it."
"Your word and honor that you won't mention it?"
"On the heads of our children, we give it."
"And besides, let us remember what the great king Louis XIV. majestically
said to the Doge of Venice before his assembled court:
"'When a secret's told a clerk,
Its exposure he'll not burk!'"
"Good! there is Chalamel with his proverbs!"
"I demand the head of Chalamel!"
"Proverbs are the wisdom of nations; it is on that account I require your
secret."
"Come, none of your nonsense. I tell you the head clerk made me a promise
to speak of it to no one."
"Yes; but he did not say that you should not tell it to every one?"
"It shall not go out of the office. Go on."
"He is dying with desire to tell us the secret."
"Well! the governor is about selling his notary's business. At this present
moment, perhaps, it is done."
"Nonsense!"
"Here is news!"
"Let us see, without charge, who charges himself with the charge which he
discharges?"
"Tush! how insupportable Chalamel is with his riddles."
"Do you think I know to whom he sells it?"
"If he sells it, it is because, perhaps, he wishes to come out, give balls,
routs, in the gay world.
Pages:
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252