He met my astonished look with an eye that seemed to ask me why I lingered.
Then reading mayhap what was passing in my thoughts, he raised a little
silver whistle to his lips and blew softly upon it.

"Bernouin," said he to his valet, who entered in answer to the summons,
"reconduct M. de Luynes."

I remember drawing down upon my bedraggled person the curious gaze of the
numerous clients who thronged the Cardinal's ante-chamber, as I followed
Bernouin to the door which opened on to the corridor, and which he held for
me. And thus, for the second time within twenty-four hours, did I leave
the Palais Royal to wend my way home to the Rue St. Antoine with grim
despondency in my heart.

I found Michelot on the point of setting out in search of me, with a note
which had been brought to my lodging half an hour ago, and which its bearer
had said was urgent. I took the letter, and bidding Michelot prepare me
fresh raiment that I might exchange for my wet clothes, I broke the seal
and read:


"A thousand thanks, dear friend, for the service you have rendered me and
of which his Eminence, my uncle, has informed me. I fear that you have
made many enemies for yourself through an action which will likely go
unrewarded, and that Paris is therefore as little suited at present to your
health as it is to mine. I am setting out for Blois on a mission of
exceeding delicacy wherein your advice and guidance would be of infinite
value to me. I shall remain at Choisy until to-morrow morning, and should
there be no ties to hold you in Paris, and you be minded to bear me
company, join me there at the Hôtel du Connétable where I shall lie