The musketeers returned.

"Tell his Highness for me that monseigneur acquits me of all connection with the De Brissac affair, and that I am being punished and exiled because I happen to possess a grey cloak." "It is true, your Highness." "Whom are you shielding ?" demanded the prince with an oath.

He was alarmed.
"Since I refused to tell his Eminence it is not probable that I shall tell your Highness." Beaufort left in a rage.

The prince's lackey spent a most uncomfortable hour that night when his Highness, son of Monsieur le Duc de Vendome, retired.
The Chevalier espied a yellow _caleche_, Mademoiselle de Longueville herself in the act of entering it.

Mademoiselle was the only person he knew to be in the confidence of Diane.
"Messieurs, will you permit me to speak to Mademoiselle de Longueville ?" he asked.
"Do you think that monsieur can see mademoiselle ?" said one to the other, humorously.
"It is too dark for him to see her.