"Has the king returned to the Louvre?" "'Nonsense!' you said; 'a workman, a nobody, a fine sight it will be!' You have seen it, my poor friend." "I asked you if his Majesty has returned from Fontainebleau?" "Yes, and he keenly regrets not having reached Paris on Sunday, in order to look on from one of his towers at his goldsmith's victory over his provost." "What is said at court?" "Why, they say that you were thoroughly whipped." "Hum!" said the provost, who began to be annoyed by this desultory conversation. "How was it? Did he really give you such an ignominious whipping?" "Why--" "He killed two of your men, did he not?" "I think so." "If you wish to replace them, I have two Italian bravos, consummate fighting-men, who are quite at your service. You will have to pay them well, but they are sure men." "We shall see: I won't say no. If not for myself, I may require them for my son-in-law, Comte d'Orbec." "Whatever they may say, I cannot believe that this Benvenuto cudgelled you personally." "Who says so?" "Everybody. Some are indignant, like myself; others laugh, like the king." "Enough! we have not seen the end of this affair." "Ah! you were very wrong to compromise yourself with such a clown, and for such a paltry affair!" "I shall fight for my honor henceforth." "If there had been a woman in the affair, why, you might properly have drawn your sword against such people: but for a mere place to sleep in--" "The Hôtel de Nesle is a place for princes to sleep in." "Agreed; but even so, think of exposing yourself for such a matter to be chastised by a blackguard!" "Ah! I have an idea, Marmagne," said the provost. "Parbleu! you are so devoted to me that I long to render you a friendly service, and I am delighted to have the opportunity now. For a nobleman, and secretary to the king, you are wretchedly located on Rue de la Huchette, my dear Viscount. Now I recently requested for a friend of mine, from the Duchesse d'Etampes, who refuses nothing that I ask, apartments in such one of the king's palaces as my friend might select. I obtained the privilege for him, not without difficulty, but it so happens that he has been called to Spain on urgent business. I have therefore at my disposal the document signed by the king containing this grant of apartments. I cannot make use of it myself; will you have it? I should be happy to acknowledge thus your services and your generous friendship." "Dear D'Estourville, how can I ever repay you? It is quite true that I am living in very unsuitable quarters, and I have complained to the king a score of times." "I shall insist upon one condition." "What is that?" "That, inasmuch as you are at liberty to take your choice among all the royal hotels, you will choose--" "Go on, I am waiting." "The Hôtel de Nesle." "Aha! you were laying a trap for me."