"My friend, you know as well as we do that before long you will come over."
"I am not there yet, nor are my enemies scattered, nor is the League dead."
"Dying, my lord. It will get its coup de grâce o' Sunday, when the king goes to mass."
"St. Quentin," Mayenne made quiet answer, "when I am in such case that nothing remains to me but to fall on my sword or to kneel to Henry, be assured I shall kneel to Henry. Till then I play my game."
"Play it, then. We have the patience to wait for you, monsieur. Be assured, in your turn, that when you do come on your knees to his Majesty you will do well to have a friend or two at court."
"Morbleu," Mayenne cried, suddenly showing his teeth, "you will never go back to him if I choose to stop you!"
Monsieur raised his eyebrows at him, pained by the unsuavity.
"Of course not, monsieur. I quite understood that when I entered the gate. I shall never leave this house if you will otherwise."
"You will leave the house unharmed," Mayenne said curtly. "I shall not treat you as your late master treated my brother."
"I thank your generosity, monsieur, and commend your good sense."