The door opened, and Gaston, turning round, faced the Duc d'Olivares.
"Ah, monsieur," cried he, "how good of you to come at the request of a poor prisoner."
"It was a duty," replied the duke, "besides, I had to thank you."
"Me!" said Gaston, astonished; "what have I done to merit your excellency's thanks?"
"You have been interrogated, taken to the torture-chamber, given to understand that you might save yourself by naming your accomplices, and yet you kept silence."
"I made an engagement and kept it: that does not deserve any thanks, monseigneur."
"And now, monsieur, tell me if I can serve you in anything."
"First, tell me about yourself; have you been molested, monseigneur?"
"Not at all: and if all the Bretons are as discreet as you, I doubt not that my name will never be mentioned in these unfortunate debates."
"Oh, I will answer for them as for myself, monseigneur; but can you answer for La Jonquiere?"