"Let us go straight to the point, as men who respect and trust each other
should do. My uncle, King Joachim, is proscribed, he has taken refuge
with me; but he cannot remain there, for I am the first person they will
suspect. Your house is in an isolated position, and consequently we
could not find a better retreat for him. You must put it at our disposal
until events enable the king to come to some decision."

"It is at your service," said Marouin.

"Right. My uncle shall sleep there to-night."

"But at least give me time to make some preparations worthy of my royal
guest."

"My poor Marouin, you are giving yourself unnecessary trouble, and making
a vexatious delay for us: King Joachim is no longer accustomed to palaces
and courtiers; he is only too happy nowadays to find a cottage with a
friend in it; besides, I have let him know about it, so sure was I of
your answer. He is counting on sleeping at your house to-night, and if I
try to change his determination now he will see a refusal in what is only
a postponement, and you will lose all the credit for your generous and
noble action. There--it is agreed: to-night at ten at the Champs de
Mars."

With these words the captain put his horse to a gallop and disappeared.
Marouin turned his horse and went back to his country house to give the
necessary orders for the reception of a stranger whose name he did not
mention.

At ten o'clock at night, as had been agreed, Marouin was on the Champs de