Madame followed her with her eyes, in silence, until the door closed behind her, and then, turning towards Manicamp, said, “What is the matter? — and is it true, as I am told, Monsieur de Manicamp, that some one is lying wounded in the chateau?”

“Yes, Madame, unfortunately so — Monsieur de Guiche.”

“Yes, Monsieur de Guiche,” repeated the princess. “I had, in fact, heard it rumored, but not confirmed. And so, in truth, it is Monsieur de Guiche who has been thus unfortunate?”

“M. de Guiche himself, Madame.”

“Are you aware, M. de Manicamp,” said the princes, hastily, “that the king has the strongest antipathy to duels?”