That it was that had brought the moisture to my brow and curses to my lips; that it was that had caused me instinctively to thrust the rag of green velvet within my doublet.
Ciel! It was strange--aye, monstrous strange, and a right good jest for fate to laugh at--that I, Gaston de Luynes, vile ruffler and worthless spadassin, should have come to such a pass; I, whose forefinger had for the past ten years uptilted the chin of every tavern wench I had chanced upon; I, whose lips had never known the touch of other than the lips of these; I, who had thought my heart long dead to tenderness and devotion, or to any fondness save the animal one for my ignoble self.

Yet there I rode as if the Devil had me for a quarry,--panting, sweating, cursing, and well-nigh sobbing with rage at a fear that I might come too late,--all because of a proud lady who knew me for what I was and held me in contempt because of her knowledge; all for a lady who had not the kindness for me that one might spare a dog--who looked on me as something not good to see.
Since there was no one to whom I might tell my story that he might mock me, I mocked myself--with a laugh that startled passers-by and which, coupled with the crazy pace at which I dashed into Blois, caused them, I doubt not, to think me mad.

Nor were they wrong, for mad indeed I deemed myself.
That I trampled no one underfoot in my furious progress through the streets is a miracle that passes my understanding.
In the courtyard of the Lys de France I drew rein at last with a tug that brought my shuddering brute on to his haunches and sent those who stood about flying into the shelter of the doorways.
"Another horse!" I shouted as I sprang to the ground.

"Another horse at once!" Then as I turned to inquire for Michelot, I espied him leaning stolidly against the porte-cochere.
"How long have you been there, Michelot ?" I asked.
"Half an hour, mayhap." "Saw you a closed carriage pass ?" "Ten minutes ago I saw one go by, followed by M.de St.Auban and a gentleman who greatly resembled M.de Vilmorin, besides an escort of four of the most villainous knaves--" "That is the one," I broke in.

"Quick, Michelot! Arm yourself and get your horse; I have need of you.