“How dared you? What do you mean?” He put his hand to his heart. I was nearest him. I stretched out my arm to help him, but he thrust me away. “Answer!” he cried, imperiously forgetful of the King, the Queen, everybody.
“It is very simple,” I replied quietly. “On my approach to Paris I had the good fortune to be of assistance to Mademoiselle.”
“In what capacity?”
“She was set upon by three ruffians. I drove them off.”
“Whereabouts?”
I was ignorant of the road, but Mademoiselle came to my rescue.
“Near Paris, on the Versailles road, Monsieur.”
“Where was your escort?” queried the Duke.
“I was alone.”
“Alone on the Versailles road?”