"Less than fifty pistoles; here is half of them."
The Chevalier pushed the gold toward the lackey. "Take these, lad;
they will carry you through till you find a new master. You have been
a good and faithful servant."
Breton made a negative gesture. "Monsieur," timidly, "I do not want
money, and I could never grow accustomed to a new master. I was born
at the chateau in Perigny. My mother was your nurse and she loved you.
I know your ways so well, Monsieur Paul. Can I not accompany you to
Quebec? I ask no wages; I ask nothing but a kind word now and again,
and a fourth of what you have to eat. I have saved a little, and out
of that I will find my clothing."
The Chevalier smiled at Victor. "We never find constancy where we look
for it. Lad," he said to Breton, "I can not take you with me. I am
going not as a gentleman but as a common trooper, and they are not
permitted to have lackeys. Take the money; it is all I can do for you."
Breton stretched a supplicating hand toward the poet.
"Let him go, Paul," urged Victor. "Du Puys will make an exception in
your case. Let him go. My own lad Hector goes to my sister's, and she
will take good care of him.
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