." The Chevalier looked thoughtfully at his pale hands.

"I shall take advantage of your courtesy, Monsieur le Comte." "How polite men are when about to cut each other's throats!" The Vicomte d'Halluys adjusted his baldric and entered the great dining-hall of the Chateau Saint Louis.
He and D'Herouville sat side by side.
"Vicomte, you have never told me why the Chevalier is here.

Why should he leave France, he, who possessed a fortune, who had Mazarin's favor, and who had all the ladies at his feet ?" "Ask him when you meet him," answered the vicomte, testing the governor's burgundy.
"And will you pay me those ten thousand livres which you wagered against my claims for madame's hand ?" The vicomte took a sip of the wine.

There was no verbal answer, but his eyes spoke.
"Quebec promises to afford a variety," commented d'Herouville, glancing to where the Chevalier sat.
"It is quite probable," affably returned the vicomte.

"This is good wine for a wilderness like this.