"A great deal of nonsense," answered the Duke, affecting a tone very foreign to his real feelings. "He predicted that I should marry the Queen, after the death of Louis. Now, you see, I have married some one else, and therefore his prophecy was false. But however, as I said, these chairs belonged to him: where he got them I know not--perhaps from the Devil; but at all events, I wish he were here to fill one now; he would be a good companion in our adventures." As he spoke, a bright flash of lightning blazed through the apartment, followed by a loud and rolling peal of thunder, which made the Duke start, exclaiming, "Jesu! what a flash!" "Your Highness thought it was Père Le Rouge," said St. Ibal; "but he would most likely come in at the door, if he did come; not through the window." Gaston of Orleans heard the jests of his two companions without anger; and a moment or two after, Cinq Mars, who stood near one of the dilapidated casements, turned round, exclaiming, "Hark! I hear the sound of a horse's feet: it is Fontrailles at last. Give me a torch; I will show him where we are." "If it should be the Devil now----" said Montressor, as Cinq Mars left the room. "Or Père Le Rouge," added St. Ibal. "Or both," said the Duke of Orleans. "Why for cunning and mischief they would scarcely supply the place of one Fontrailles," rejoined St. Ibal. "But here comes one or the other,--I suppose it is the same to your Royal Highness which." "Oh, yes!" answered the Duke, "they shall all be welcome. Nothing like keeping good company, St. Ibal." As he spoke, Cinq Mars returned, accompanied by Fontrailles, both laughing with no small glee. "What makes ye so merry, my Lords?" exclaimed Montressor; "a laugh too good a thing to be lost. Has Monsieur de Fontrailles encountered his old friend Sathanus by the road-side, or what?" "Not so," answered Cinq Mars, "he has only bamboozled an innkeeper. But come, Fontrailles, let us not lose time: will you read over the articles of alliance to which we are to put our names; and let us determine upon them to-night, for, if we meet frequently in this way, we shall become suspected ere our design be ripe."