The hunchback paid him an extravagant salutation. "Monsieur de Chavernay, you are always chivalrous. You really ought to die young, for it will take so much trouble to turn you into a rogue."
Fat Oriol, staring in amazement at the controversy, questioned: "What does the fellow mean?"
Chavernay burst into a fit of laughing, and patted Oriol on the back. "I’m afraid he means that you are a rogue, Oriol."
While the angry gentlemen stood together, with the hunchback apart eying them derisively, and Chavernay standing between the belligerents as peace-maker, Taranne hurriedly joined the group. He was evidently choking with news and eager to distribute it.
"Friends, friends," he cried, "there is something extraordinary going on here to-night!"
"What is it?" asked Chavernay.
Taranne answered him, with a voice as grave as an oracle: "All the sentinels are doubled, and there are two companies of soldiers in the great court."
Navailles protested: "You are joking!"
Taranne was not to be put down. "Never more serious. Every one who enters is scrutinized most carefully."
"That is easy to explain," said Chavernay; "it is just to make sure that they really are invited."