"I guessed that my beautiful stepmother intended me some such scurviness from the circumstance of her having kept me in ignorance of my father's death.

But frankly, sir, your tale by far outstrips my wildest imaginings.

You have behaved very--very bravely in this affair.

You seem, in fact, to have taken a greater interest in Mademoiselle de La Vauvraye's enlargement than the Queen could have a right to expect of you." And he smiled, a world of suggestion in his eyes.

Garnache sat back in his chair and stared at the man.
"This levity, monsieur, on such a subject, leaves me thunderstruck," he said at last.
"Diable!" laughed the other.