should be released; but it is equally essential that there should
be no breach between the Vicomte and myself. Therefore the
affair must be the work of an independent man, who has never been
in my service, nor in any way connected with me. If captured,
you pay the penalty without recourse to me.'

'I fully understand, sire,' I answered.

'Ventre Saint Gris!' he cried, breaking into a low laugh. I
swear the man is more afraid of the lady than he is of the
Vicomte! That is not the way of most of our Court.'

Du Mornay, who had been sitting nursing his knee in silence,
pursed up his lips, though it was easy to see that he was well
content with the king's approbation. He now intervened. 'With
your permission, sire,' he said, 'I will let this gentleman know
the details.'

'Do, my friend,' the king answered. 'And be short, for if we are
here much longer I shall be missed, and in a twinkling the Court
will have found me a new mistress.'

He spoke in jest and with a laugh, but I saw Du Mornay start at
the words, as though they were little to his liking; and I
learned afterwards that the Court was really much exercised at
this time with the question who would be the next favourite, the
king's passion for the Countess de la Guiche being evidently on
the wane, and that which he presently evinced for Madame de
Guercheville being as yet a matter of conjecture.