"I have no excuse to give, monseigneur, except that I believe the death of the regent to be necessary to the salvation of France."
"Yes," replied the duke, smiling; "but you will see that that is scarcely the excuse to offer to Philippe d'Orleans. I wanted something personal. Political enemy of the regent's as I am, I know that he is not considered a bad man. Men say that he is merciful, and that there have been no executions during his reign."
"You forget Count Horn."
"He was an assassin."
"And what am I?"
"There is this difference: Count Horn murdered in order to rob."
"I neither can nor will ask anything of the regent," said Gaston.
"Not you, personally, I know; but your friends. If they had a plausible pretense to offer, perhaps the prince himself might pardon you."
"I have none, monseigneur."
"It is impossible, monsieur—permit me to say so. A resolution such as you have taken must proceed from a sentiment of some kind—either of hatred or vengeance. And stay; I remember you told La Jonquiere, who repeated it to me, that there was a family feud: tell me the cause."