Granville's estate

The candy basket that was sent to Louis was half a foot long and two inches high. Both the basket itself and the handles woven into the shape of twining vines were all made of marzipan, that is to say, as long as The teeth are good enough, and it's easy to eat the basket and the candy it contains - marzipan is extremely moldable and has been eaten at banquets since 2000 years ago. (Persian emperors even had artisans carve habitable candy palaces, towers, and mills out of it; and baskets filled with sweets of all kinds fashioned into different shapes , added roasted pine nuts, hazelnuts, walnuts and other fragrant nuts, and also dyed different colors with spices such as saffron, bergamot juice and cinnamon, each of which is exquisite, lovely and attractive Seems to be yelling at people "Eat me! Eat me!"

"Does Chevre's still send candy baskets to their customers?"

Louis picked up the basket full of sweets and looked at it, surprised at the luxury of the meal they had (you know, the price of a catty of white sugar is usually around six francs these days, and some families in the provinces are still limited to six francs). The high price of candy in history makes it a luxury, not to mention this exquisite candy), and I am quite dumbfounded by the treatment that children should enjoy: "It's a pity that I am not eleven or twelve years old. It's time for a child, or I'll be so happy for these candies that I won't be able to sleep all night."

Perhaps because he was in a good mood, Callister leaned on the back of the chair very relaxedly. Under the light of the jumping fire in the fireplace, his blond hair seemed to be shining like gold.

"I remember, when you were in Saint-Etienne," he said to Louis, pointing to the basket of colorful candies by the way: "I really liked eating the candies sold in the shop in the school, even if it was not delicious fennel Same goes for sugar."

"That's because the anise candy is the most sold in Mrs. Walker's shop, and sometimes they don't sell other flavors of candy once a month." Louis replied, and he smiled a little embarrassedly: "Al once and I Complained about the taste of fennel candy, it was really weird, he couldn’t get used to it, but I think it’s acceptable.”

"In this case, you can try the sweets made by Chevet now and see how they differ from those in Saint-Etienne."

Needless to say, these exquisite and delicious candies must be different from the anise candies in St. Etienne's boarding school, Louis thought so, and picked up a thin white pine nut candy from the basket—— This piece of pine nuts made into the shape of a bookmark was placed on the top of the basket, and it seemed that it could be directly inserted into the books people were reading; however, when Louis picked up the piece of pine nuts, he found that the original pine nuts were under the The space inside was not filled with candies, but a very beautifully folded light yellow handkerchief was cleverly stuffed in. The handkerchief had edges and corners, and it was obvious that something was wrapped inside.

"what?"

He looked suspiciously at Callister, who was sitting across from him, but the viscount's expression was normal, and he seemed to have known that there were other things in the candy basket.

"Won't you try it?"

Just when Louis' hand holding the pine nuts stopped there, not knowing whether he should eat the candy in his hand or put it back, Callister spoke, and he asked Louis: "Did you get a taste you don't like?" ? There are quite a lot of candy patterns in Shewei Restaurant, and you can also change to another flavor.”

"No, no."

Asked by Callister, Louis panicked, and subconsciously brought the piece of pine nut candy to his mouth and took a bite. The fragrance of roasted pine nuts and the sweet taste of candy immediately intertwined on the tip of his tongue. But Louis didn't have time to savor the taste carefully, his attention was all on the unknown item wrapped in a handkerchief in the candy basket.

"There is a handkerchief in the basket. I don't know what it is." After eating the piece of candy, he put the candy basket aside and said to Callister: "Maybe it was when the cook put the candy in the basket." , I accidentally put in the handkerchief used as decoration."

Folding handkerchiefs for decoration is not uncommon even in the provinces, and Louis once saw the most dexterous handkerchief folders from elsewhere (these people were everywhere) at a banquet given by a nobleman in Magon. vagrants, specializing in folding handkerchief patterns for mansions in need, as a job to support their families, but the income is not bad), they can fold handkerchiefs of different colors into a variety of lifelike flowers, fruits, birds and even various Musical instruments, and then various decorations at the banquet, even a live thrush wrapped in a handkerchief to make it sing in the center of the table; but in any case, this decoration appeared It's all a little weird in a candy basket.

"It wasn't put in by accident." The Viscount said to Louis, his blue and green eyes looked at Louis, somehow made Louis afraid to look at him: "You can open it now and see See what's in there."

"This……"

Louis hesitated a little, his reason and experience screaming to warn him that if he opened the handkerchief, he might face some unexpected troubles again; When he felt a little dissatisfied and wanted to stand up and "help" him with this matter, he immediately made a decision: "Since you said so, then I will definitely obey your orders."

It is not difficult to untie the folded handkerchief. Louis only fiddled with it twice, and the light yellow handkerchief came loose, revealing the wrapped thing in the center: it was a palm-sized, The pattern is very elegant off-white engraved box.

"What's in it?" Louis asked. He took the box in his hand and looked at the person sitting opposite him, but Callister didn't answer him, but only indicated that he should open the box; Under the urging of the silent eyes, Louis hesitated for a while, and then lifted the lid of the engraved box.

Even though he was mentally prepared before opening the box, Louis was stunned when he saw what was inside: inside the box lay quietly on a gray velvet cushion, thinner than a silver five-franc piece. On some gold pocket watches, there is no mark on the cover so that it is impossible to tell which watch master is the work of, but Louis can swear that he has never seen a more delicate and light artwork; and on the other side of the gold pocket watch On the velvet cushion of the house, there is a franc box decorated with gold and flowing colors. On the lid, a cluster of elegant azure sapphires forms a beautiful feather crown pattern-anyone can tell the difference between the two just by looking at them. A fine piece of art that can be called a work of art definitely comes at a price.

"Sir, what is this?"

In extreme astonishment, Louis actually forgot the agreement between him and Callister and called out the title "Mr." Snapping the lid of the engraved box on like a potato, he placed it on the table and pushed it aside, along with the marzipan basket full of sweets.

As for his reaction, the Viscount seemed a little unhappy.

"It seems that you don't like the presents I picked for you?" Callister asked, he narrowed his eyes slightly: "I think they are still very suitable for you, especially the sapphire box, and your temperament It's a good match."

"If you say this is a gift for me, then I'm sorry, first...Mr. Callister, I can't accept your kindness." Louis said, he felt a little flustered and strangely " It really is so." For a moment, I didn't know what I was feeling: "These two gifts are too expensive. I think this must be something that a noble like you should use, not someone with my status. Suitable for people."

"This kind of statement is ridiculous. Everyone knows that every gentleman should take his pocket watch and franc box when he goes out. This is the most basic rule of etiquette." Callister said, he tapped his finger Lightly knocked on the table: "Since you gave me your pocket watch and franc box, then I have to solve the problems you are facing, so it is natural to choose some new accessories for you ,Is not it?"

I didn't give you my pocket watch and franc box, you took them away from me yourself--Louis thought so, but he dared not say these words: "No accessories really It will cause a little trouble, but it is not a big problem. Mr. Callister, I am very grateful for your kindness, but I can find a way to solve this small trouble myself." If you accept such a precious If it is something, how can he explain it to Al!

"If you are concerned that the presents I have chosen will make your friends suspicious, you may rest assured that there is no coat of arms of my family on either the pocket watch or the franc box."

As if seeing Louis' concern, Callister said this to him, and he added by the way: "Of course, if you want accessories with my family crest, I can take the for you."

"You, you better stop joking."

Louis stammered his answer. He turned his head and looked around the small restaurant, wanting to ask Karbo what time it is, but found that the cunning valet had left the room at some point: "Mr. Callister, I I think it's getting late, and you're going to the Count de Marce's residence to attend the ball, aren't you? Maybe I should say goodbye to you too, so as not to waste your precious time."

"Tsk."

After Louis repeatedly refused, Callister finally got a little impatient. He stood up, walked to Louis, then reached for the engraved box containing the accessories, opened it, and took the pocket watch and the franc box inside. Come out——It was also at this time that Louis discovered that there was a thin golden bracelet connected between the two small accessories, but the bracelet was hidden under the velvet cushion so that he did not find it. exist.

"Just an hour ago." After taking out the two small items, Callister leaned down slightly, and the golden pocket watch slipped from his hand and fell into the air, as light as a maple leaf in autumn: "You agreed to one of my conditions, that is, you would not refuse my gift, didn't you? Going back on your word is not something a decent gentleman should do."

"... of course, Mr. Callister."