Short black
velvet trousers, coming to his knee, and ostentatiously new short-legged
boots, with visible straps like curling ears, completed the entirely
original character of his lower limbs.
Mainwaring, always easily gentle and familiar with children and his
inferiors, looked at him with an encouraging smile. Richelieu--for it
was he--advanced gravely and held out his hand, with the cameo ring
apparent. Mainwaring, with equal gravity, shook it warmly, and removed
his hat. Richelieu, keenly observant, did the same.
"Is Jim Bradley out yet?" asked Richelieu, carelessly.
"No; I think not. But I'm Frank Mainwaring. Will I do?"
Richelieu smiled. The dimples, the white teeth, the dark, laughing eyes,
were surely Minty's?
"I'm Richelieu," he rejoined with equal candor.
"Richelieu?"
"Yes. That Frenchman--the Lord Cardinal--you know. Mar saw Forrest do
him out in St. Louis."
"Do him?"
"Yes, in the theayter."
With a confused misconception of his meaning, Mainwaring tried to
recall the historical dress of the great Cardinal and fit it to the
masquerader--if such he were--before him. But Richelieu relieved him by
adding,--
"Richelieu Sharpe."
"Oh, that's your NAME!" said Mainwaring, cheerfully.
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