as the last which she sent to the
Empress she shall see the inside of Vincennes. You would not think it
right, Monsieur de Laval, to spend twenty-five thousand francs upon a
single dress, even though it were for Mademoiselle Eugenie de Choiseul.'

Was there anything which this wizard of a man did not know? What could
my love affairs be to him amidst the clash of armies and the struggles
of nations? When I looked at him, half in amazement and half in fear,
that pleasant boyish smile lit up his pale face, and his plump little
hand rested for an instant upon my shoulder. His eyes were of a bright
blue when he was amused, though they would turn dark when he was
thoughtful, and steel-grey in moments of excitement.

'You were surprised when I told you a little while ago about your
encounter with the Englishman in the village inn. You are still more
surprised now when I tell you about a certain young lady. You must
certainly have thought that I was very badly served by my agents in
England if I did not know such important details as these.'

'I cannot conceive, Sire, why such trifles should be reported to you, or
why you should for one instant remember them.'

'You are certainly a very modest young man, and I hope you will not lose
that charming quality when you have been for a little time at my Court.
So you think that your own private affairs are of no importance to me?'

'I do not know why they should be, Sire.'

'What is the name of your great-uncle?'

'He is the Cardinal de Laval de Montmorency.'

'Precisely. And where is he?'

'He is in Germany.'

'Quite so--in Germany, and not at Notre Dame, where I should have placed
him. Who is your first cousin?'

'The Duke de Rohan.'

'And where is he?'

'In London.'

'Yes, in London, and not at the Tuileries, where he might have had what
he liked for the asking. I wonder if I were to fall whether I should
have followers as faithful as those of the Bourbons. Would the men that
I have made go into exile and refuse all offers until I should return?
Come here, Berthier!' he took his favourite by the ear with the
caressing gesture which was peculiar to him. 'Could I count upon you,
you rascal--eh?'

'I do not understand you, Sire.' Our conversation had been carried on
in a voice which had made it inaudible to the other people in the room,
but now they were all listening to what Berthier had to say.

'If I were driven out, would you go into exile also?'