“You are welcome, M. de Bussy,” said she, “in spite of the fears your presence awakens.”
“What do you mean, madame? how can I cause you fear?”
“Ah! there was a meeting last night between you and M. de St. Luc? confess it.”
“Between me and St. Luc!”
“Yes, he sent me away to speak to you; you belong to the Duc d’Anjou, he to the king. You have quarrelled—do not hide it from me. You must understand my anxiety. He went with the king, it is true—but afterwards?”
“Madame, this is marvelous. I expected you to ask after my wound——”
“He wounded you; he did fight, then?”
“No, madame; not with me at least; it was not he who wounded me. Indeed, he did all he could to save me. Did he not tell you so?”
“How could he tell me? I have not seen him.”
“You have not seen him? Then your porter spoke the truth.”