In an hour you're to sail for France ?" "Yes," said I."Those are the King's orders." "But in an hour you could be so far from here that he with whom you go could not wait for your return." "Well, my lord ?" "To be brief, what's your price to fly and not to sail ?" We were standing, facing one another.

I answered him slowly, trying to catch his purpose.
"Why are you willing to pay me a price ?" said I."For it's you who pays ?" "Yes, I pay.

Come, man, you know why you go and who goes with you ?" "M.

de Perrencourt and M.Colbert go," said I."Why I go, I don't know." "Nor who else goes ?" he asked, looking in my eyes.

I paused for a moment and then answered, "Yes, she goes." "And you know for what purpose ?" "I can guess the purpose." "Well, I want to go in your place.