"Is this occupied?" said De Mouy, glancing at the two beds opposite each other.
"By two of my gentlemen, yes."
"Monseigneur, it seems to me imprudent to return to the Louvre."
"Why so?"
"Because if you have recognized me, others also may have as good eyes as your highness, and may recognize me. However, I will return to the Louvre if you will grant me what I am about to ask of you."
"What is that?"
"A passport."
"A passport from me found on you would ruin me and would not save you. I can do nothing for you unless in the eyes of the world we are strangers to each other; the slightest relation between us, noticed by my mother or my brother, would cost me my life. You were therefore protected by my interest for myself from the moment I compromised myself with the others, as I am now compromising myself with you. Free in my sphere of action, strong if I am unknown, so long as I myself remain impenetrable, I will guarantee you everything. Do not forget this. Make a fresh appeal to your courage, therefore. Try on my word of honor what you tried without the word of honor of my brother. Come this evening to the Louvre."
"But how do you wish me to come? I can not venture in these rooms in my present uniform—it is for the vestibules and the courts. My own is still more dangerous, since everyone knows me here, and since it in no way disguises me."
"Therefore I will look—wait—I think that—yes, here it is."