"Does the defender of the royal princess deserve this reproach?" said the duke.
"I must say," said the prince, rising erect and folding his arms, "I am grateful to the young gentleman who risked his life for a lady who will shortly be my wife."
"What did he risk his life for?" queried the king.
"Because the Chevalier Jean in a hurry wanted to take the horses set aside by your majesty for the royal bride."
The king bit his lips and changed color, for the new way of presenting the case was again a menacing phantom.
"Yes, Chevalier Dubarry was putting the insult on the royal house of taking the reserved royal horses, when up came the Chevalier Redcastle, sent onward by her highness, and after much civil remonstrance——"
"Oh!" protested the king. "Civil—a military man?"
"It was so," interposed the dauphin. "I have been fully informed. Dubarry whipped out his sword——"
"Was he the first to draw?" demanded the king.
The prince blushed and looked to Choiseul for support.