But if you are wise you will not go home alone to-night.' 'I have my sword, M.le Marquis,' I answered, somewhat proudly.

'Which will avail you little against a knife in the back!' he retorted drily.
'What attendance have you ?' 'My equerry, Simon Fleix, is on the stairs.' 'Good, so far, but not enough,' he replied, as we reached the head of the staircase.

'You had better come home with me now, and two or three of my fellows shall go on to your lodging with you.

Do you know, my friend,' he continued, looking at me keenly, 'you are either a very clever or a very foolish man ?' I made answer modestly.

'Neither the one, I fear, nor the other, I hope sir,' I said.
'Well, you have done a very pertinent thing,' he replied, 'for good or evil.