Yet, remembering that my father and he had been good friends, his
manner left me nonplussed. What cause could he have for this
animosity to the son? Could it be merely my position at Court that
made me seem in his rebel eyes a natural enemy?

"You are acquainted with this Bardelys?" I inquired, by way of
drawing him.

"I knew his father," he answered gruffly. "An honest, upright
gentleman."

"And the son," I inquired timidly, "has he none of these virtues?"

"I know not what virtues he may have; his vices are known to all
the world. He is a libertine, a gambler, a rake, a spendthrift.
They say he is one of the King's favourites, and that his monstrous
extravagances have earned for him the title of 'Magnificent'."
He uttered a short laugh. "A fit servant for such a master as
Louis the Just!"

"Monsieur le Vicomte," said I, warming in my own defence, "I swear
you do him injustice. He is extravagant, but then he is rich; he
is a libertine, but then he is young, and he has been reared among
libertines; he is a gamester, but punctiliously honourable at play.
Believe me, monsieur, I have some acquaintance with Marcel de
Bardelys, and his vices are hardly so black as is generally believed;
whilst in his favour I think the same may be said that you have just
said of his father - he is an honest, upright gentleman."

"And that disgraceful affair with the Duchesse de Bourgogne?"