I remembered the warning of Sibylle.
'I cannot come until I have learned what my duties with the Emperor are
to be. When that is settled I shall come.'
'Very good. Next week perhaps, or the week afterwards. I shall expect
you eagerly, Louis. I rely upon your promise, for a Laval was never
known to break one.' With another unanswered squeeze of my hand, he
slipped off among the crowd, which was growing denser every instant in
the salon.
I was standing in silence thinking over this sinister invitation of my
uncle's, when I heard my own name, and, looking up, I saw de
Caulaincourt, with his brown handsome face and tall elegant figure,
making his way towards me.
'It is your first entrance at Court, is it not, Monsieur de Laval,' said
he, in his high-bred cordial manner; 'you should not feel lonely, for
there are certainly many friends of your father here who will be
overjoyed to make the acquaintance of your father's son. From what de
Meneval told me I gather that you know hardly anyone--even by sight.'
'I know the Marshals,' said I; 'I saw them all at the council in the
Emperor's tent.
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