You, M.
de Marsac, will remain here as my agent, to watch over my interests, to receive Mademoiselle on her arrival, to secure for her a secret interview with the king, to guard her while she remains here.

Do you understand ?' Did I understand?
I could not find words in which to thank him.

My remorse and gratitude, my sense of the wrong I had done him, and of the honour he was doing me, were such that I stood mute before him as I had stood before the king.

'You accept, then ?' he said, smiling.

'You do not deem the adventure beneath you, my friend ?' 'I deserve your confidence so little, sir,' I answered, stricken to the ground, 'that I beg you to speak, while I listen.