"Mark me, I shall find this friend of yours, but I shall not remit one hour of your punishment.

Messieurs," turning to the musketeers, "conduct Monsieur le Chevalier to his lodgings and remain with him till dawn, when you will show him the road to Orleans.

And remember, he must see no one." Then Mazarin went back to the gallery and resumed his game.

"What! De Meilleraye, you have won only three louis?
Give me the cards; and tell his Grace of Gramont that I am weary of his discords." "Monsieur le Chevalier," said one of the musketeers, waking the Chevalier from his stupor, "pardon us a disagreeable duty." The other musketeer restored the Chevalier's rapier.
"Proceed, Messieurs," said the Chevalier, picking up his hat and thrusting his sword into its scabbard; "I dare say this moment is distasteful to us all." The musketeers conducted him through the secret staircase to the court below.

The Duc de Beaufort, who had been waiting, came forward.
"Stand back, Messieurs," said the prince; "I have a word to say to Monsieur le Chevalier." Mazarin's word was much, but the soldier loved his Beaufort.