"And what about, monseigneur?"
"About your drama."
"About Henri III.?"
"'Are you aware of what I have been informed, cousin?' he said, laying emphasis upon the last word. 'I have been told that you have a youth in your offices who has written a play in which both you and I figure—I as Henri III., and you as the Duc de Guise?'"
"Monseigneur, you could of course have replied that the king was mistaken and that the young man was no longer in your employ."
"No; I much preferred to reply otherwise, and not to lie, since I mean to keep you on."
"Then what did your Highness say?..."
"I said, 'Sire, people have misinformed you, and for three reasons:—First, I do not beat my wife; secondly, Madame la Duchesse d'Orléans has not made me a cuckold; thirdly, your Majesty has not a more faithful subject than myself.' Do you think my reply was equal to anything you would have advised me to make?"
"Indeed, monseigneur, it is infinitely more witty."