"My faith! I think I must e'en let you try. But what to bid you say to her—pardieu! I scarce know what I could say to her myself."
"I can tell her how sorely you are hurt—how you would come, but cannot."
"And make her believe it," he cried eagerly. "Do not let her think it a flimsy excuse. And yet I do think she will believe you," he added, with half a laugh. "There is something very trust-compelling about you, Félix. And assure her of my lifelong, never-failing service."
"But I thought monsieur was going to take service with Henry of Navarre."
"I was!" he cried. "I am! Oh, Félix, was ever a poor wight so harried and torn betwixt two as I? Whom Jupiter would destroy he first makes mad. I shall be gibbering in a cage before I have done with it."
"Monsieur will be gibbering in his bed unless he sleeps soon. I go now, monsieur."
"And good luck to you! Félix, I offer you no reward for this midnight journey into the house of our enemies. For recompense you will see her."