of officers dined there that morning, and that it was therefore
concluded that our presence behind your carriage was not accidental.
They no doubt guessed that it was I who discovered the plot, in
consequence of which so many were arrested and exiled. I have been
distinctly warned that the air of Paris is unwholesome for me."

"Who warned you?" the cardinal said abruptly.

"It would not be fair of me to mention the name, but it is at any
rate one who is of Beaufort's party."

"Ah!" the cardinal said sharply, "I noticed you sitting for a few
minutes by Madame de Chevreuse. Never mind, I will respect your
confidence. I can well understand, after what you have said, that
there is great danger here, and it is a danger from which it is well
nigh impossible to protect you, unless you take up your residence
here and never stir abroad. Nor do I know that you would be safer
with the army; an assassin's knife can reach a man as easily in a
camp as in a city, and with perhaps less risk of detection. Neither
Beaufort nor Vendome are men to forget or forgive an injury, and
they have scores of fellows who would for a few crowns murder anyone
they indicated, and of gentlemen of higher rank who, although not
assassins, would willingly engage you in a duel, especially those
who suffered in the plot that you discovered. Frankly, what do
you think yourself?"

"I might retire to la Villar, cardinal. I should be safe there in
my own castle."

"So long as you did not leave it; but a man with a musket in ambush