Therefore, Monsieur, you see that the
advantage is with us. We are two men opposed to a man, a woman, and a
child, so that--"
"In Heaven's name, sir," cried St. Auban, again interposing himself betwixt
me and the bellicose Malpertuis, "will you cease this foolishness? A word
with you in private, M. de Luynes."
I permitted him to take me by the sleeve, and lead me aside, wondering the
while what curb it was that he was setting upon his temper, and what wily
motives he might have for adopting so conciliatory a tone.
With many generations to come, the name of C?sar de St. Auban must perforce
be familiar as that of one of the greatest roysterers and most courtly
libertines of the early days of Louis XIV., as well as that of a rabid
anti-cardinalist and frondeur, and one of the earliest of that new cabal of
nobility known as the petits-ma?tres, whose leader the Prince de Cond? was
destined to become a few years later. He was a man of about my own age,
that is to say, between thirty-two and thirty-three, and of my own frame,
tall, spare, and active. On his florid, d?bonnair countenance was stamped
his character of bon-viveur.
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