"Useless, my friend, useless!" exclaimed Le Balafré. "My mind is made up. And then, too, I repeat, and you know it as well as I, the peace has taken from us every hope of renown."
"Pardon, Monseigneur," rejoined Gabriel, "but the peace is the one thing that makes my plan feasible."
"Really?" said François de Lorraine, tempted in spite of himself. "Pray, is it some bold stroke like the siege of Calais?"
"Something still bolder, Monseigneur."
"How can that be?" exclaimed the duke. "Upon my word, you have succeeded in arousing my curiosity thoroughly."
"May I tell you about it, then?"
"To be sure you may; in fact, I beg you to do so."
"Are we quite alone?"
"Entirely; not a living soul is within the sound of our voices."
"Well, then, Monseigneur," Gabriel began resolutely, "this is what I have to say to you: This king and this constable choose to dispense with your services; why do not you dispense with them? They have ejected you from the office of lieutenant-general of the kingdom; assume it once more on your own responsibility."