Truly, Monsieur le Baron and his daughter have reason for gratitude that you happened to be passing at the time; and I, as King of France, am glad that this outrage on a lady of the court has failed.
"I am, perhaps, not altogether without blame in the matter.

A short time ago, the Vicomte de Tulle told me that he hoped to better his fortune by a rich marriage.

He named no names, nor said aught of the measures he intended to adopt.

But I said it would be well that he should do so, for rumours had reached me that his finances were in disorder.

Whether he took this as a permission to use any means that he thought fit I cannot tell; and I certainly did not suspect, when I heard of the disappearance of Mademoiselle de Pointdexter, that he had any hand in it, and was shocked when the baron came here and denounced him to me.