Age has, however, made me more reasonable, and, above all, more upright; and this injury has been atoned for by a long and lasting regret.

But I appeal to you, gentlemen; this affair took place in 1626, at a period, happily for yourselves, known to you by tradition only, at a period when love was not over-scrupulous, when consciences did not distill, as in the present day, poison and bitterness.

We were young soldiers, always fighting, or being attacked, our swords always in our hands, or at least ready to be drawn from their sheaths.

Death then always stared us in the face, war hardened us, and the cardinal pressed us sorely.

I have repented of it, and more than that--I still repent it, M.de Wardes." "I can well understand that, monsieur, for the action itself needed repentance; but you were not the less the cause of that lady's disgrace.
She, of whom you have been speaking, covered with shame, borne down by the affront you brought upon her, fled, quitted France, and no one ever knew what became of her." "Stay," said the Comte de la Fere, stretching his hand towards De Wardes, with a peculiar smile upon his face, "you are mistaken; she was seen; and there are persons even now present, who, having often heard her spoken of, will easily recognize her by the description I am about to give.