The other leant forward a little; his gaze was fixed on Luc in an interested fashion.
“Who are you?”
Luc’s shyness returned.
“I was a soldier,” he said briefly; “I am now merely M. de Vauvenargues, who has still his use to find.”
“What do you wish to do?”
“To serve the King,” answered Luc without affectation.
“The King! I suppose it is a profitable employment to serve the King.”
The sneer was so manifest that Luc replied with some warmth—
“No, Monsieur; but it is honourable, and I look for honour.”
“Then,” returned the gentleman with even deeper scorn, “you are unique in France.”