"It is not my fault, monsieur; you must blame these gentlemen and ladies, who will not keep quiet, in spite of all I tell them."
"We!" cried all the guests.
"Certainly," replied the governor, "you all break through rules; I am always having reports of communications, correspondences, notes, etc."
Richelieu laughed, Dumesnil and Mademoiselle de Launay blushed.
"But we will speak of that at dessert. You do not drink, M. de Chanlay?"
"No, I am listening."
"Say that you are dreaming; you cannot deceive me thus."
"And of what?" asked Malezieux.
"Ah, it is easy to see that you are getting old, my poetical friend; of what should M. de Chanlay dream but of his love."
"Is it not better, M. de Chanlay," cried Richelieu, "to have your head separated from your body, than your body from your soul?"