followed, with Vitry and others, and several strokes which had
been made were tested and discussed. Presently, the King going
to talk with Mademoiselle at her window, I remarked the Spaniard
and Maignan, with the King's marker, and one or two others
waiting at the further door. Almost at the same moment I
observed a sudden movement among them, and voices raised higher
than was decent, and I called out sharply to know what it was.

"An accident, my lord," one of the men answered respectfully.

"It is nothing," another muttered. "Maignan was playing tricks,
your excellency, and cut Diego's hand a little; that is all."

"Cut his hand now!" I exclaimed angrily "And the King about to
play with him. Let me see it!"

Diego sulkily held up his hand, and I saw a cut, ugly but of no
importance.

"Pooh!" I said; "it is nothing. Get some plaister. Here, you,"
I continued wrathfully, turning to Maignan, "since you have done
the mischief, booby, you must repair it. Get some plaister, do
you hear? He cannot play in that state."

Diego muttered something, and Maignan that he had not got any;
but before I could answer that he must get some, La Trape thrust
his may to the front, and producing a small piece from his
pocket, proceeded with a droll air of extreme carefulness to
treat the hand. The other knaves fell into the joke, and the
Spaniard had no option but to submit; though his scowling face