In sheltering you I am serving Gaston d'Orleans, and, that I may continue so to do, I pray that suspicion may continue to ignore me.

If they were to learn of it at Toulouse or of how with money and in other ways I have helped this rebellion--I make no doubt that my head would be the forfeit I should be asked to pay." I was aghast at the freedom of treasonable speech with which this very debonnaire gentleman ventured to address an utter stranger.
"But tell me, Monsieur de Lesperon," resumed my host, "how is it with you ?" I started in fresh astonishment.
"How--how do you know that I am Lesperon ?" I asked.
"Ma foi!" he laughed, "do you imagine I had spoken so unreservedly to a man of whom I knew nothing?
Think better of me, monsieur, I beseech you.

I found these letters in your pocket last night, and their superscription gave me your identity.

Your name is well known to me," he added.

"My friend Monsieur de Marsac has often spoken of you and of your devotion to the Cause, and it affords me no little satisfaction to be of some service to one whom by repute I have already learned to esteem." I lay back on my pillows, and I groaned.