“Or to Madame’s.”

“Ah! to Madame’s?”

“Yes, sire.”

“Well — and this lady?”

“Is one of the maids of honor of her royal highness Madame la Duchesse d’Orleans.”

“For whom M.

de Guiche fought — do you say?”

“Yes, sire, and, this time, I tell no falsehood.”

Louis seemed restless and anxious. “Gentlemen,” he said, turning towards the spectators of this scene, “will you have the goodness to retire for a moment. I wish to be alone with M. de Manicamp; I know he has some important communication to make for his own justification, and which he will not venture before witnesses� . Put up your sword, M. de Manicamp.”