“And when do you ever give orders, except, perhaps, to flagellate either your own skin, or that of others?—But about government.—Bah! allow me to observe that you have been a long time finding out that you rank seventh or eighth in this kingdom.”
“Here they are!” cried the king, as three cavaliers approached, followed by a crowd of men on foot and on horseback.
“Schomberg! Quelus! come here,” cried the king. They approached.
“I have been seeking you, and waiting for you impatiently. What have you done? Do not go away again without my permission.”
“There is no more need,” said Maugiron, who now approached, “since all is finished.”
“All is finished?”
“Heaven be praised,” said D’Epernon, appearing all at once, no one knew from whence.
“Then you have killed them?” cried the king; “well, at least the dead do not return.”
“Oh! we had not that trouble; the cowards ran away, we had scarcely time to cross our swords with them.”
Henri grew pale. “With whom?” said he.