"No, no; they did not force me.

And yet," I reflected, with a sigh, "perhaps they did." "I have been thinking, monsieur, that if the King were to hear of it the evil might be mended." "But the King must not hear of it, Armand," I answered quickly.

"Even if he did, matters would be no better--much worse, possibly." "But, monsieur, this thing done in the heat of wine--" "Is none the less done, Armand," I concluded.

"And I for one do not wish it undone." "But have you no thought for the lady ?" he cried.
I laughed at him.

"Were I still eighteen, boy, the thought might trouble me.