La Chatre's expression immediately softened. "The governor's brains are in the head of the secretary," thought I; "and their place in his own head is taken by vanity." "I remember," returned La Chatre. "And I added, did I not, that--ahem, that--" "That the finding of this Huguenot nuisance ought to be made the particular duty of one chosen person, who should have all to gain by success, or, better still, all to lose by failure." And the suave secretary looked at his master with an expression of secret contempt and amusement, although the innocent governor doubtless saw only the respect and solicitude which the young man counterfeited. "You are right," said the governor, with unconcealed satisfaction. "I ought to reward you for reminding me. But your reward shall come, Montignac. The coming war will give me the opportunity to serve both the King and the Duke of Guise most effectually, and by whatever favor I gain, my faithful secretary shall benefit." "My benefit will be due to your generosity, not to my poor merit, monsieur," replied Montignac, with an irony too delicate for the perception of the noble governor. "Oh, you have merit, Montignac," said La Chatre, with lofty condescension. Then he glanced at the letter, and his face clouded. "But meanwhile," he added, in obedience to a childish necessity of communicating his troubles, "my favor depends, even for its continuance in its present degree, on the speedy capture of this Tournoire. The rascal appears to have obtained the special animosity of the Duke by some previous act. Moreover, he is an enemy to the King, also a deserter from the French Guards, so that he deserves death on various accounts, old and new." Herein I saw exemplified the inability of the great to forget or forgive any who may have eluded their power. "Let me, therefore," continued the governor, "consider as to what person shall be chosen for the task of bagging this wary game." And he was silent, seeming to be considering in his mind, but really, I thought, waiting for the useful Montignac to suggest some one.