But truth to the marquis was not a moral obligation.

He was truthful as became a great noble who was too proud and fearless of consequences to lie.

In his youth he had been called Antinous to Henri's Caesar; but there is a certain type of beauty which, if preyed upon by vices, becomes sardonic in old age.
At his elbow stood a small Turkish table on which were a Venetian bell and a light repast, consisting of a glass of weakened canary and a plate of biscuits spread sparingly with honey.

Presently the marquis drank the wine and struck the bell.

Jehan, the marquis's aged valet, entered soon after with a large candelabrum of wax candles.