"M. de Carmainges, give me your word of honor that if I intrust you with a letter it shall be given to the person to whom it is addressed."
"I give it, monsieur."
"I believe you; I am sure I may trust you. I must tell you a part of my secret. I belong to the guards of Madame de Montpensier."
"Oh! I did not know she had guards."
"In these troublous times, monsieur, every one guards himself as well as he can, and the house of Guise being a princely one—"
"I asked for no explanation, monsieur."
"Well, I had a mission to Amboise; when on the road I saw my enemy; you know the rest."—"Yes."
"Stopped by this wound, I must report to the duchesse the reason of my delay."
"Well?"
"Will you therefore put into her own hands the letter I am about to write?"