"No, this is only a secondary matter. Let the culprit be punished, and that will end the affair."
At the suggestion of punishment, Louis saw Jeanne furious and Chon up in arms.
"Punish, without hearing the case?" he said. "I have signed quite enough blank committals to jail. A pretty mess you are dragging me into, duke."
"But what a scandal, if the first outrage to the princess is allowed to go unpunished, sire."
"I entreat your majesty," said the dauphin.
"What, don't you think the sword cut was enough punishment?"
"No, sire, for he might have wounded Lieutenant Taverney. In that case I should have asked for his head."
"Nay," said the dauphin, "I only ask for his banishment."
"Exile, for an alehouse scuffle," said the king. "In spite of your philosophical notions, you are harsh, Louis. It is true that you are a mathematician, and such are hard as—well, they would sacrifice the world to have their ciphering come out correct."
"Sire, I am not angry with Chevalier Dubarry personally, but as he insulted the dauphiness."