"Now, Lafemas," said he, when they had proceeded so far as to be beyond the reach of Philip's ears, "what think you of this?" "Why, truly," replied the Judge, "I deem that we are mighty near as wise as we were before." "Not so," said Chavigni. "It is clear enough these fellows have failed, and De Blenau has preserved the packet: I understand it all. His Eminence of Richelieu, against my advice, has permitted Madame de Beaumont and her daughter Pauline to return to the Queen, after an absence of ten years. The fact is, that when the Cardinal banished them the Court, and ordered the Marchioness to retire to Languedoc, his views were not so extended as they are now, and he had laid out in his own mind a match between one of his nieces and this rich young Count de Blenau; which, out of the royal family, was one of the best alliances in France. The boy, however, had been promised, and even, I believe, affianced by his father, to this Pauline de Beaumont; and accordingly his Eminence sent away the girl and her mother, with the same _sangfroid_ that a man drives a strange dog out of his court-yard; at the same time he kept the youth at Court, forbidding all communication with Languedoc: but now that the Cardinal can match his niece to the Duke D'Enghien, De Blenau may look for a bride where he lists, and the Marquise and her daughter have been suffered to return. To my knowledge, they passed through Chartres yesterday morning on their way to St. Germain." "But what have these to do with the present affair?" demanded Lafemas. "Why thus has it happened," continued Chavigni. "The youth has been attacked. He has resisted, and been wounded. Just then, up come these women, travelling through the forest with a troop of servants, who join with the Count, and drive our poor friends to cover. This is what I have drawn from the discourse of yon surly Woodman." "You mean, from your own knowledge of the business," replied Lafemas, "for he would confess nothing." "Confess, man!" exclaimed Chavigni.--"Why he did not know that he was before a confessor, and still less before a Judge, though thou wouldest fain have put him to the question. I saw your lip quivering with anxiety to order him the torture; rack, and thumb-screw, and _oubliette_ were in your eye, every sullen answer he gave." "Were it not as well to get him out of the way?" demanded Lafemas. "He remarked your livery, Chavigni, and may blab."