'And be short, for if we are here much longer I shall be missed, and in a twinkling the Court will have found me a new mistress.' He spoke in jest and with a laugh, but I saw Du Mornay start at the words, as though they were little to his liking; and I learned afterwards that the Court was really much exercised at this time with the question who would be the next favourite, the king's passion for the Countess de la Guiche being evidently on the wane, and that which he presently evinced for Madame de Guercheville being as yet a matter of conjecture.
Du Mornay took no overt notice of the king's words, however, but proceeded to give me my directions.

'Chize, which you know by name,' he said, 'is six leagues from here.

Mademoiselle de la Vire is confined in the north-west room, on the first-floor, overlooking the park.

More I cannot tell you, except that her woman's name is Fanchette, and that she is to be trusted.

The house is well guarded, and you will need four or five men, There are plenty of cut-throats to be hired, only see, M.
de Marsac, that they are such as you can manage, and that Mademoiselle takes no hurt among them.