Richon answered these questions.
"You are accused of high treason in having fired upon the soldiers of the king," said the judge-advocate; "do you admit your guilt?"
"To deny it would be to deny what you all saw; yes, monsieur, I fired upon the king's troops."
"By virtue of what right?"
"By virtue of the laws of war, by virtue of the same right which Monsieur de Conti, Monsieur de Beaufort, Monsieur d'Elbœuf, and so many others, have invoked under the like circumstances."
"That right does not exist, monsieur, for it is nothing more nor less than rebellion."
"But it was by virtue of that right that my lieutenant capitulated. I appeal to the terms of the capitulation."
"Capitulation!" cried Monsieur d'Épernon, ironically, for he felt that the queen was listening, and the feeling dictated the insult; "you, treat with a marshal of France!"
"Why not, when a marshal of France treated with me?"
"Produce your capitulation, then, and we will judge of its value."