First I must warn the Chevalier--afterwards I would deal with St.Auban.
Someone knocked at that moment, and with the entrance of Michelot, my talk with Montresor came perforce to an end.

For Michelot brought me the news that for days I had been awaiting; Madame de Chevreuse had returned to Paris at last.
But for Montresor's remonstrances it is likely that I should have set out forthwith to wait upon her.

I permitted myself, however, to be persuaded that the lateness of the hour would render my visit unwelcome, and so I determined in the end--albeit grudgingly--to put off my departure for Blois until the morrow.
Noon had but struck from Notre Dame, next day, as I mounted the steps of the Hotel de Luynes.

My swagger, and that brave suit of pearl grey velvet with its silver lace, bore me unchallenged past the gorgeous suisse, who stood, majestic, in the doorway.
But, for the first mincing lackey I chanced upon, more was needed to gain me an audience.

And so, as I did not choose to speak my name, I drew a ring from my finger and bade him bear it to the Duchesse.
He obeyed me in this, and presently returning, he bowed low and begged of me to follow him, for, as I had thought, albeit Madame de Chevreuse might not know to whom that ring belonged, yet the arms of Luynes carved upon the stone had sufficed to ensure an interview.
I was ushered into a pretty boudoir, hung in blue and gold, which overlooked the garden, and wherein, reclining upon a couch, with a book of Bois Robert's verses in her white and slender hand, I found my beautiful aunt.
Of this famous lady, who was the cherished friend and more than sister of Anne of Austria, much has been written; much that is good, and more--far more--that is ill, for those who have a queen for friend shall never lack for enemies.