"I have explained all that to monseigneur, the cardinal. Is everybody mad in Paris?" with a burst of anger. "I arrive in Paris at six this evening, and straightway I am accused of having killed a man I have seen scarce a half dozen times in my life. And now your Highness talks of papers! I know nothing about papers. Ask Mazarin, Monsieur. Mazarin knows that I was not in Paris yesterday."
"What!" incredulously.
"Messieurs," called the Chevalier. The musketeers returned. "Tell his Highness for me that monseigneur acquits me of all connection with the De Brissac affair, and that I am being punished and exiled because I happen to possess a grey cloak."
"It is true, your Highness."
"Whom are you shielding?" demanded the prince with an oath. He was alarmed.
"Since I refused to tell his Eminence it is not probable that I shall tell your Highness."
Beaufort left in a rage. The prince's lackey spent a most uncomfortable hour that night when his Highness, son of Monsieur le Duc de Vendôme, retired.
The Chevalier espied a yellow calèche, Mademoiselle de Longueville herself in the act of entering it. Mademoiselle was the only person he knew to be in the confidence of Diane.
"Messieurs, will you permit me to speak to Mademoiselle de Longueville?" he asked.
"Do you think that monsieur can see mademoiselle?" said one to the other, humorously.