"Yes, do you mean to abuse the hands of Madame de Montpensier? How severe you are upon your subjects."
The king frowned, and passed over his eyes a hand as white as those spoken of, but more trembling.
"Well!" said Chicot, "let us leave that, for I see that the conversation does not please you, and let us return to subjects that interest me personally."
The king made a gesture, half indifferent, half approving.
"Have you heard, Henri," continued Chicot, "whether those Joyeuses carried off any woman?"
"Not that I know of."
"Have they burned anything?"
"What?"
"How should I know what a great lord burns to amuse himself; the house of some poor devil, perhaps."
"Are you mad, Chicot? Burn a house for amusement in my city of Paris!"