It was therefore no more
than natural that I should communicate to him my fears touching what might
come of the machinations of St. Auban, Vilmorin, and even, perchance, of
that little firebrand, Malpertuis.
Night fell while we talked, and at last the lights of ?tampes, where we
proposed to lie, peeped at us from a distance, and food and warmth.
It was eight o'clock when we reached the town, and a few moments later we
rattled into the courtyard of the H?tel de l'?p?e.
Andrea was out of temper to learn that Mesdemoiselles de Canaples had
reached the place two hours earlier, taken fresh horses, and proceeded on
their journey, intending to reach Monnerville that night. He was even mad
enough to propose that we should follow their example, but my sober
arguments prevailed, and at ?tampes we stayed till morning.
Andrea withdrew early. But I, having chanced upon a certain M. de la
Vrilli?re, a courtier of Vilmorin's stamp, with whom I had some slight
acquaintance, and his purse being heavier than his wits, I spent a passing
profitable evening in his company. This pretty gentleman hailed my advent
with a delight that amazed me, and suggested that we should throw a main
together to kill time.
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