The tide, you perceive, is rising; ten minutes hence it will have soaked the sands where we are now walking in such a manner that we shall not be able to keep our footing." "I await your orders, my lord, but--" "But, you mean, we are still upon soil which is part of the king's territory." "Exactly." "Well, do you see yonder a kind of little island surrounded by a circle of water?
The pool is increasing every minute, and the isle is gradually disappearing.

This island, indeed, belongs to Heaven, for it is situated between two seas, and is not shown on the king's charts.

Do you observe it ?" "Yes; but we can hardly reach it now, without getting our feet wet." "Yes; but observe that it forms an eminence tolerably high, and that the tide rises up on every side, leaving the top free.

We shall be admirably placed upon that little theatre.

What do you think of it ?" "I shall be perfectly happy wherever I may have the honor of crossing my sword with your lordship's." "Very well, then, I am distressed to be the cause of your wetting your feet, M.de Wardes, but it is most essential you should be able to say to the king: 'Sire, I did not fight upon your majesty's territory.' Perhaps the distinction is somewhat subtle, but, since Port-Royal, your nation delights in subtleties of expression.