A Gentleman from Gascony: A Romance of the Huguenots — page 74: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

40 A GENTLEMAN FROM GASCONY. “Pardon, monsieur, but we take a keen interest in you.” “Indeed,” returned Raoul, with an affectation of indifference. “Yes. The fact is, the ambassador from Gascony is well known to us, and you are not he.” “Mordiou!” and Raoul laughed as though intensely amused. “I am not surprised at your—shall I say sus- picion—but Monsieur Altemarre is an old friend of my family, and, hearing that I was in Paris, sent for me and begged me to take his place, in order that his un- fortunate illness should not prevent Gascony offering her congratulations to her king.” The expression of the young man changed. Seem- ingly he was a little in doubt still, however, and Raoul hastened to remove his suspicions entirely. _ “I trust you do not doubt me, Monsieur de Chateau- neuf,” he continued, with a slight emphasis upon the name. , “ What, I have the honor of being known to your ex- cellency!”” exclaimed the other, in surprise. “ Yes, monsieur,” said De Puycadére, lowering his voice a little. “I have been in Paris only three days, and yet twenty pretty mouths have recounted to me the story of your successes in the lists of love.” | De Chateauneuf lowered his eyes in mock modesty and ejaculated a low “Oh! monsieur!” And then he added with a low bow and a fatuous smile: “Your excellency is evidently a person of discern- ment.” The chevalier thought to himself with satisfaction: “One supporter gained!” Then, turning to another of the gentlemen, he addressed him with somewhat exag- gerated respect: 4% Comichbooks co im =)