"Hush!" said the king, "he is coming; remain there, and listen attentively."
"Very good, sire."
And, at the same moment, Manicamp and Saint-Aignan appeared at the thresh-hold of the door.
CHAPTER XXIV.
THE ENCOUNTER.
The king with his hand made, first to the musketeer, and then to Saint-Aignan, an imperious and significant gesture, as much as to say, "On your lives, not a word." D'Artagnan withdrew, like a soldier, into a corner of the room; Saint-Aignan, in his character of favorite, leaned over the back of the king's chair. Manicamp, with his right foot properly advanced, a smile upon his lips, and his white and well-formed hands gracefully disposed, advanced to make his reverence to the king, who returned the salutation by a bow. "Good evening, M. de Manicamp," he said.
"Your majesty did me the honor to send for me," said Manicamp.
"Yes, in order to learn from you all the details of the unfortunate accident which has befallen the Comte de Guiche."
"Oh! sire, it is very grievous indeed."