"My lord, the duke, has not summoned me yet, and I would not dare--" "Go this instant to your master and announce the Marquis de Bruyeres," interrupted that gentleman, in loud, angry tones, "or I will force the door and admit myself to his presence.

I MUST speak to him, and that at once, on important business, in which your master's honour is involved." "Ah! that makes a difference," said the servant, promptly, "why didn't your lordship mention it in the first place?
I will go and tell my lord, the duke, forthwith; he went to bed in such a furious, blood-thirsty mood last night that I am sure he will be enchanted at the prospect of a duel this morning--delighted to have a pretext for fighting." And the man went off with a resolute air, after respectfully begging the marquis to be good enough to wait a few minutes.

At the noise he made in opening the door of his master's bedroom, though he endeavoured to do it as softly as possible, Vallombreuse, who was only dozing, started up in bed, broad awake, and looked round fiercely for something to throw at his head.
"What the devil do you mean by this ?" he cried savagely.

"Haven't I ordered you never to come in here until I called for you?
You shall have a hundred lashes for this, you scoundrel, I promise you; and you needn't whine and beg for mercy either, for you'll get none from me.

I'd like to know how I am to go to sleep again now ?" "My lord may have his faithful servant lashed to death, if it so please his lordship," answered the valet, with abject respect, "but though I have dared to transgress my lord's orders, it is not without a good reason.