\'thoughIseethatyouwouldmakeanexcellentcourtier——farbetterthanDuMornayhere,whoneverinhislifemadesoprettyaspeech.ForImustlaymycommandsonyoutokeepthisvisitasecret,M.deMarsac.Shouldbuttheslightestwhisperofitgetabroad,yourusefulness,asfarasIamconcerned,wouldbegone,andgoneforgood!\'
SoremarkableastatementfilledmewithwonderIcouldscarcelydisguise.ItwaswithdifficultyIfoundwordstoassurethekingthathiscommandsshouldbefaithfullyobeyed.
\'OfthatIamsure,\'heansweredwiththeutmostkindness.
\'WhereInot,andsure,too,fromwhatIamtoldofyourgallantrywhenmycousintookBrouage,thatyouareamanofdeedsratherthanwords,IshouldnotbeherewiththepropositionIamgoingtolaybeforeyou.Itisthis.Icangiveyounohopeofpublicemployment,M.deMarsac,butIcanofferyouanadventureifadventuresbetoyourtaste——asdangerousandasthanklessasanyAmadiseverundertook.\'
\'Asthankless,sire?\'Istammered,doubtingifIhadheardaright,theexpressionwassostrange.