However, the moment which M. de Valorsay had asked for had
lengthened into a quarter of an hour, and he had not yet finished
his work. "What the devil is he doing?" wondered Pascal, who was
following his enemy's slightest movement with eager curiosity.
Countless sporting newspapers were strewn over the table, the
chairs, and the floor around the marquis, who took them up one
after another, glanced rapidly through their columns, and threw
them on the floor again. or placed them on a pile before him,
first marking certain passages with a red pencil. At last,
probably fearing that Pascal was growing impatient, he looked up
and said:
"I am really very sorry to keep you waiting so long, but some one
is waiting for this work to be completed."
"Oh! pray continue, Monsieur le Marquis," interrupted Pascal.
"Strange to say, I have a little leisure at my command just now."
The marquis seemed to feel that it was necessary to make some
remark in acknowledgment of this courtesy on his visitor's part,
and so, as he continued his work, he condescended to explain its
purpose. "I am playing the part of a commentator," he remarked.
"I sold seven of my horses a few days ago, and the purchaser,
before paying the stipulated price, naturally required an exact
and authentic statement of each animal's performances. However,
even this does not seem to have satisfied the gentleman, for he
has now taken it into his head to ask for such copies of the
sporting journals as record the victories or defeats of the
animals he has purchased.
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