"They have been so busy, in my service, that I doubt if they have eaten since breakfast yesterday.

I myself supped well, thanks to the courtesy of Monsieur D'Estanges, who was good enough to send up an excellent capon, and a bottle of wine to my cell." "You know Monsieur D'Estanges ?" Gaston de Rebers asked courteously.
"He is a gentleman of high repute and, though connected with the Guises, he is said to be opposed to them in their crusade against us." "I had only the honour of meeting him yesterday," Philip said, as they sat down to table; "but he behaved like a true gentleman, and did me the honour of being my second, in an unfortunate affair into which I was forced." "Who was your opponent, may I ask, sir ?" "Count Raoul de Fontaine." "A doughty swordsman!" Gaston de Rebers exclaimed; "but one of our bitterest opponents in this province.

You are fortunate, indeed, to have escaped without a serious wound; for he has been engaged in many duels, and but few of his opponents have escaped with their lives." "He will neither persecute you, nor fight more duels," Philip said quietly; "for I had the misfortune to kill him." The others looked at him with astonishment.
"Do I understand rightly, Monsieur Fletcher, that you have slain Raoul de Fontaine in a duel ?" "That is the case," Philip replied.

"Monsieur D'Estanges, as I have said, acted as my second.

Count Louis de Fontaine acted for his cousin." "You will pardon my having asked you the question again," De Rebers said; "but really, it seemed well-nigh impossible that a gentleman who, as I take it, can yet be scarcely of age, should have slain Raoul de Fontaine." "I lack four years, yet, of being of age," Philip said; "for it will be another month before I am seventeen.