Henry of Bourbon, I pray God, will always be able to free his own lady-love.

This is a State affair, and a matter of quite another character, though we cannot at present entrust you with the meaning of it.' I bowed in silence, feeling somewhat chilled and perplexed, as who would not, having such an invitation before him?
I had anticipated an affair with men only--a secret assault or a petard expedition.

But seeing the bareness of my room, and the honour the king was doing me, I felt I had no choice, and I answered, 'That being the case, sire, I am wholly at your service.' 'That is well,' he, answered briskly, though methought he looked at Du Mornay reproachfully, as doubting his commendation of me.

'But will you say the same,' he continued, removing his eyes to me, and speaking slowly, as though he would try me, 'when I tell you that the lady to be carried off is the ward of the Vicomte de Turenne, whose arm is well-nigh as long as my own, and who would fain make it longer; who never travels, as he told me yesterday, with less than fifty gentlemen, and has a thousand arquebusiers in his pay?
Is the adventure still to your liking, M.de Marsac, now that you know that ?' 'It is more to my liking, sire,' I answered stoutly.
'Understand this too,' he rejoined.

'It is essential that this lady, who is at present confined in the Vicomte's house at Chize, should be released; but it is equally essential that there should be no breach between the Vicomte and myself.