"It was a verbal agreement."
"Produce your witnesses."
"I have but one witness to produce."
"Who is that?"
"The marshal himself."
"Let the marshal be called," said the duke.
"It's useless," interposed the queen, opening the door behind which she was listening; "Monsieur le Maréchal set out two hours since with the advance-guard, to march upon Bordeaux."
With that she closed the door once more.
This apparition froze the blood in every heart, for it imposed upon the judges the necessity of convicting Richon.
"Ah!" said he, "that is all the regard Monsieur de La Meilleraie has for his word. You were right, monsieur," he added, turning to the Duc d'Épernon, "I was foolish to treat with a marshal of France."