He caught up a taper and, coming forward, he cast the light on my face for a moment, then setting the candle back upon the table, he vented his surprise in an oath or two, which was natural enough in one of his calling.
"'T is clear, Lieutenant," quoth I, as I detached my sword from the baldrick, "that you believed me dead.

Fate willed, however, that I should be restored to life, and so soon as I had recovered sufficient strength to undertake the journey to Paris, I set out.

I arrived an hour ago, and here I am, to redeem my word of honour, and surrender the sword and liberty which you but lent me." I placed my rapier on the table and waited for him to speak.

Instead, however, he continued to stare at me for some moments, and when at last he did break the silence, it was to burst into a laugh that poured from his throat in rich, mellow peals, as he lay back in his chair.
My wrath arose.

Had I travelled from Blois, and done what I deemed the most honourable deed of my life, to be laughed at for my pains by a foppish young jackanapes of his Eminence's guards?
Something of my displeasure must he have seen reflected on my face, for of a sudden he checked his mirth.
"Forgive me, M.de Luynes," he gasped.