How was it that you, who are De Guiche's intimate friend, and who know that he is subject to such acts of folly, did not stop him in time ?" Manicamp no longer knew what to do; the tone in which the king spoke was anything but that of a credulous man.

On the other hand, it did not indicate any particular severity, nor did he seem to care very much about the cross-examination.

There was more of raillery in it than menace.

"And you say, then," continued the king, "that it was positively De Guiche's horse that was found dead ?" "Quite positive, sire." "Did that astonish you ?" "No, sire; for your majesty will remember that, at the last hunt, M.de Saint-Maure had a horse killed under him, and in the same way." "Yes, but that one was ripped open." "Of course, sire." "Had Guiche's horse been ripped open like M.de Saint-Maure's horse, I should not have been astonished." Manicamp opened his eyes very wide.
"Am I mistaken," resumed the king, "was it not in the frontal bone that De Guiche's horse was struck?
You must admit, Monsieur de Manicamp, that that is a very singular place for a wild boar to attack." "You are aware, sire, that the horse is a very intelligent animal, and he doubtless endeavoured to defend himself." "But a horse defends himself with his heels and not with his head." "In that case, the terrified horse may have slipped or fallen down," said Manicamp, "and the boar, you understand sire, the boar--" "Oh! I understand that perfectly, as far as the horse is concerned; but how about his rider ?" "Well! that, too, is simple enough; the boar left the horse and attacked the rider; and, as I have already had the honor of informing your majesty, shattered De Guiche's hand at the very moment he was about to discharge his second pistol at him, and then, with a gouge of his tusk, made that terrible hole in his chest." "Nothing is more likely; really, Monsieur de Manicamp, you are wrong in placing so little confidence in your own eloquence, and you can tell a story most admirably." "Your majesty is exceedingly kind," said Manicamp, saluting him in the most embarrassed manner.
"From this day henceforth, I will prohibit any gentleman attached to my court going out to a similar encounter.

Really, one might just as well permit duelling." Manicamp started, and moved as if he were about to withdraw.