Ah!" continued De Guiche, with a threatening gesture, "you interfere in my affairs, Monsieur de Wardes, do you?
Very well, then; I shall now occupy myself with yours.

And for you, poor Raoul--you who intrust your heart to my keeping--be assured I will watch over it." With this promise, De Guiche begged Malicorne to come immediately to his apartments, if it were possible.

Malicorne acknowledged the invitation with an activity which was the first result of his conversation with Montalais.

And while De Guiche, who thought that his motive was undiscovered, cross-examined Malicorne, the latter, who appeared to be working in the dark, soon guessed his questioner's motives.

The consequence was that, after a quarter of an hour's conversation, during which De Guiche thought he had ascertained the whole truth with regard to La Valliere and the king, he had learned absolutely nothing more than his own eyes had already acquainted him with; while Malicorne learned or guessed that Raoul, who was absent, was fast becoming suspicious, and that De Guiche intended to watch over the treasure of the Hesperides.
Malicorne accepted the office of dragon.