“How?” exclaimed Renard, bending his brows.
“In a moment of pique she had affianced herself to Prince Philip of Spain,” continued Xit. “But in her calmer moments she repented her precipitancy, and feeling a return of affection for the earl, she employed M. Do Noailles to make up the matter with him. But the whole affair was to be kept a profound secret from you.”
“Can this be true?” cried Renard. “But no—no—it is absurd. You are abusing my patience.”
“If your excellency will condescend to make further inquiries you will find I have spoken the truth,” rejoined the dwarf.
“But I pray you not to implicate me with the queen. Her majesty, like many of her sex, has changed her mind, that is all. And she may change it again for aught I know.”
“It is a strange and improbable story,” muttered Renard; “yet I am puzzled what to think of it.”
“It was no paltry hope of gain that induced me to act in the matter,” pursued Xit; “but, as I have before intimated, a promise of being knighted.”
“If I find, on inquiry, you have spoken the truth,” rejoined Renard, “and you will serve me faithfully on any secret service on which I may employ you, I will answer for it you shall attain the dignity you aspire to.”
“I will do whatever your excellency desires,” returned Xit, eagerly. “I shall be knighted by somebody, after all.”
“But if you have deceived me,” continued Renard, sternly, “every bone in your body shall be broken upon that wheel. Your examination is at an end.” With this, he clapped his hands together, and at the signal the attendants returned.