The king signified with an imperious gesture, first to the musketeer,
then to Saint-Aignan, "On your lives, not a word." D'Artagnan withdrew,
like a sentinel, to a corner of the room; Saint-Aignan, in his character
of a favorite, leaned over the back of the king's chair. Manicamp, with
his right foot properly advanced, a smile upon his lips, and his white
and well-formed hands gracefully disposed, advanced to make his reverence
to the king, who returned the salutation by a bow. "Good evening, M. de
Manicamp," he said.

"Your majesty did me the honor to send for me," said Manicamp.

"Yes, in order to learn from you all the details of the unfortunate
accident which has befallen the Comte de Guiche."

"Oh! sire, it is grievous indeed."

"You were there?"

"Not precisely, sire."

"But you arrived on the scene of the accident, a few minutes after it
took place?"

"Sire, about half an hour afterwards."

"And where did the accident happen?"

"I believe, sire, the place is called the Rond-point du Bois-Rochin."

"Oh! the rendezvous of the hunt."