'And more, the day has been, sir,' he continued with sudden fire, 'when few at his Majesty's Court would have dared to chop words with Solomon de Bethune, much less to stop him on the highway within a mile of the palace.

But times are changed with me, sir, and it would seem with others also, if true men rallying to his Majesty in his need are to be challenged by every passer on the road.' 'What! Are you Solomon de Bethune ?' the man cried incredulously.
Incredulously, but his countenance fell, and his voice was full of chagrin and disappointment, 'Who else, sir ?' M.de Rosny replied haughtily.

'I am, and, as far as I know, I have as much right on this side of the Loire as any other man.' 'A thousand pardons.' 'If you are not satisfied--' 'Nay, M.de Rosny, I am perfectly satisfied.' The stranger repented this with a very crestfallen air, adding, 'A thousand pardons'; and fell to making other apologies, doffing his hat with great respect.

'I took you, if you will pardon me saying so, for your Huguenot brother, M.Maximilian,' he explained.

'The saying goes that he is at Rosny.' 'I can answer for that being false,' M.de Rosny answered peremptorily, 'for I have just come from there, and I will answer for it he is not within ten leagues of the place.