"Some say you are not a Bodyguard, sir."
"Ha, that is news; I shall have to tell that to Lady Dorchester. These good judges know so much more of the Court of France than she does. What else?"
"It is alleged that you are no noble, your father being the Merchant of St. Elphège."
"Yes? My father's parchment titles would answer that. I will take the occasion later on to show them to you."
"And that you carried in France the name of the Marquis de Répentigny."
"Who is the author of these tales, if you know him?" he said with dignity. "What source first spread them among the people, for such things have always an instigator?"
"I would prefer not to tell, Monsieur."
However, by a little flattery he won the point. She told him how her brother-in-law, the Merchant Langlois, of Mountain Hill, had heard at his own shop, from Madame de Léry herself, that a letter had been received from Paris relating the doings of a young Canadian calling himself de Répentigny, but who was identified by two other Canadians as young Lecour of St. Elphège, and afterwards how he had fought with Louis de Léry, of the Bodyguard, and nearly killed him, and had departed for Canada in disgrace.
"And it is most maliciously reported," added Madame Langlois, "that you, sir, are without doubt the person in question."
"Madame," exclaimed he, rising abruptly, as cold as an icicle, "I shall see to this immediately."