The news came through here yesterday, and made a pretty stir.

It happened at Blois the day but one before Christmas, if all be true.' I was thunderstruck.

This was news which might change the face of France.

'How did it happen ?' I asked.
My host covered his mouth with his hand and coughed, and, privily twitching my sleeve, gave me to understand with some shamefacedness that he could not say more in public.

I was about to make some excuse to retire with him, when a harsh voice, addressed apparently to me, caused me to turn sharply.