"But I can assure you that it is so.

A month ago I was visited by the Comte de Chatellerault--another of His Majesty's fine favourites.

He came unbidden; offered no reason for his coming, save that he was making a tour of the province for his amusement.

His acquaintance with me was of the slightest, and I had no desire that it should increase; yet here he installed himself with a couple of servants, and bade fair to take a long stay.
"I was surprised, but on the morrow I had an explanation.

A courier, arriving from an old friend of mine at Court, bore me a letter with the information that Monsieur de Chatellerault was come to Lavedan at the King's instigation to sue for my daughter's hand in marriage.