I had also a notion that I should prove an exceedingly difficult person to assassinate, and that those who sought to slip a knife into me would find my hide peculiarly tough, and my hand peculiarly ready to return the compliment.
So deeply did I sink into ponderings of this character that it was not until two hours afterwards that I again found myself drawing near the Connetable.
I reached the inn to find by the door a coach, and by that coach Andrea; he stood bareheaded, despite the cold, conversing, with all outward semblances of profound respect, with those within it.
So engrossed was he and so ecstatic, that my approach was unheeded, and when presently I noted that the coach was Mademoiselle de Canaples's, I ceased to wonder at the boy's unconsciousness of what took place around him.
Clearly the farrier had been found at last, and the horse shod afresh during my absence.

Loath to interrupt so pretty a scene, I waited, aloof, until these adieux should be concluded, and whilst I waited there came to me from the carriage a sweet, musical voice that was not Yvonne's.
"May we not learn at least, Monsieur, the name of the gentleman to whose courtesy we are indebted for having spent the past two hours without discomfort ?" "My name, Mademoiselle, is Andrea de Mancini, that of the humblest of your servants, and one to whom your thanks are a more than lavish payment for the trivial service he may have been fortunate enough to render you." Dame! What glibness doth a tongue acquire at Court! "M.

Andrea de Mancini ?" came Yvonne's voice in answer.

"Surely a relative of the Lord Cardinal ?" "His nephew, Mademoiselle." "Ah! My father, sir, is a great admirer of your uncle." From the half-caressing tone, as much as from the very words she uttered, I inferred that she was in ignorance of the compact into which his Eminence had entered with her father--a bargain whereof she was herself a part.
"I am rejoiced, indeed, Mademoiselle," replied Andrea with a bow, as though the compliment had been paid to him.

"Am I indiscreet in asking the name of Monsieur your father ?" "Indiscreet! Nay, Monsieur.