ByFortunio”sordersitwasopened，andamancoveredwithdust，astrideaweary，foam-fleckedhorse，rodeunderthearchwayofthekeepintothefirstcourtyardofthechateau。
Garnacheeyedhiminsurpriseandinquiry，andhereadintheman”sappearancethathewasacourier。Thehorsemanhadhaltedwithinafewpacesofthespotwhere“Battista“andhiscompanionstood，andseeinginthevilelycladGarnacheamemberoftheCondillachousehold，heflunghimhisreins，thengotdownstifflyfromhishorse。
Fortunio，bristlingwithimportance，hislefthandonthehiltofhisrapier，thefingersofhisrighttwirlingathislongfairmustachios，atonceconfrontedhimandcravedhisbusiness。
“IamthebeareroflettersforMadametheDowagerMarquisedeCondillac，“wasthereply；whereupon，withanarrogantnod，Fortuniobadethefellowgowithhim，andissuedanorderthathishorseshouldbecaredfor。
ArseniowasspeakinginGarnache”sear。Theman”snaturewasinquisitive，andhewasindulgingidleconjecturesastowhatmightbethenewsthiscourierbrought。Garnache”smind，actuatedbyverydifferentmotives，wasengageduponthesametask，somuchsothatnotawordheardheofwhathissupposedcompatriotwaswhispering。Whencecamethiscourier？WhyhadnotthatfoolFortunioaskedhim，sothatGarnachemighthaveoverheardhisanswer？