would give him such a fright as he would ever remember. And he added
that the lady was of too noble a house to be trifled with after such a
fashion.

The gentleman protested that he had never been in the room except in the
same manner as the rest, and, if the Prince should find him there, he
gave him full leave to do his worst.

One day afterwards, when the gentleman believed the Prince's words
to have been forgotten, he went to see his lady in the evening, and
remained sufficiently late.

The Prince [that same evening] told his wife that Madame de Neufchastel
had a severe cold, upon hearing which the worthy lady begged that he
would visit her on behalf of them both, and make excuse for herself,
since she could not go by reason of a certain matter that she must needs
attend to in her room.

The Prince waited until the King was in bed, and then went to give
the lady good-evening, but as he was going up a stairway he met a
serving-man coming down, who, on being asked how his mistress did, swore
that she was in bed and asleep.

The Prince went down the stairway, but, suspecting that the servant
had lied, looked behind and saw him going back again with all speed.
He walked about the courtyard in front of the door to see whether the
servant would return. A quarter of an hour later he perceived him come
down again and look all about to see who was in the courtyard.

Forthwith the Prince was convinced that the Lord des Cheriots was in the