continued De Guiche, with a threatening gesture, "you interfere in my
affairs, Monsieur de Wardes, do you? Very well, then; I will shortly
occupy myself with yours. As for you, poor Raoul, - you who intrust your
heart to my keeping, be assured I will watch over it."

With this promise, De Guiche begged Malicorne to come immediately to his
apartments, if possible. Malicorne acknowledged the invitation with an
activity which was the first result of his conversation with Montalais.
And while De Guiche, who thought that his motive was undiscovered, cross-
examined Malicorne, the latter, who appeared to be working in the dark,
soon guessed his questioner's motives. The consequence was, that, after
a quarter of an hour's conversation, during which De Guiche thought he
had ascertained the whole truth with regard to La Valliere and the king,
he had learned absolutely nothing more than his own eyes had already
acquainted him with, while Malicorne learned, or guessed, that Raoul, who
was absent, was fast becoming suspicious, and that De Guiche intended to
watch over the treasure of the Hesperides. Malicorne accepted the office
of dragon. De Guiche fancied he had done everything for his friend, and
soon began to think of nothing but his personal affairs. The next
evening, De Wardes's return and first appearance at the king's reception
were announced. When that visit had been paid, the convalescent waited
on Monsieur; De Guiche taking care, however, to be at Monsieur's
apartments before the visit took place.


Chapter XII:
How De Wardes Was Received at Court.

Monsieur had received De Wardes with that marked favor light and
frivolous minds bestow on every novelty that comes in their way. De