He sprang up as I entered, and came towards me with a look of pleasure on
his handsome, high-bred face, that did me good to see.

"So, you have come, De Luynes," he cried, putting forth his hand. "I did
not dare to hope that you would."

"No," I answered. "Truly it was not to be expected that I could be easily
lured from Paris just as my fortunes are nearing a high tide, and his
Eminence proposing to make me a Marshal of France and create me Duke. As
you say, you had scant grounds for hoping that my love for you would
suffice to make me renounce all these fine things for the mere sake of
accompanying you on your jaunt to Blois."

He laughed, then fell to thanking me for having rid him of Canaples. I cut
him short at last, and in answer to his questions told him what had passed
'twixt his Eminence and me that afternoon. Then as the waiter entered to
spread our supper, the conversation assumed a less delicate character,
until we were again alone with the table and its steaming viands between
us.

"You have not told me yet, Andrea, what takes you to Blois," quoth I then.

"You shall learn. Little do you dream how closely interwoven are our
morning adventures with this journey of mine. To begin with, I go to Blois
to pay my dévoirs to the lady whom his Eminence has selected for my future
wife."

"You were then right in describing this as a mission of great delicacy."