"Just so. M. de Carmainges, have you promised anything else to M. de Mayenne than to deliver that letter to his sister?" "No, sire." "No secrecy as to the place where you find her?"--"No, sire." "Then I will impose only one condition on you." "I am your majesty's servant." "Deliver your letter, and then come to me at Vincennes, where I shall be this evening." "Yes, sire." "And you will tell me where you found the duchesse?" "I will, sire." "I ask no other confidences; remember." "Sire, I promise." "What imprudence, sire!" cried D'Epernon. "There are men you cannot understand, duke. This one is loyal to Mayenne, he will be loyal to me." "Toward you, sire, I shall be more than loyal--I shall be devoted," cried Ernanton. "Now, D'Epernon, no more quarrels," said the king; "and you must at once pardon in this brave fellow what you looked upon as a want of loyalty, but which I regard as a proof of honesty." "Sire," said Ernanton, "M. le Duc is too superior a man not to have discovered, through my disobedience (for which I confess my regret), my respect for him; only, before all things, I must do what I believe to be my duty." "Parfandious!" said the duke, changing his expression like a mask, "this trial has done you honor, my dear Carmainges, and you are really a fine fellow--is he not, De Loignac? However, we gave him a good fright;" and the duke burst out laughing. De Loignac did not answer; he could not lie like his illustrious chief. "If it was a trial, so much the better," said the king, doubtfully; "but I counsel you not to try these experiments often; too many people would give way under them. Now, let us go, duke; you accompany me?" "It was your majesty's order that I should ride by the door?" "Yes; and who goes the other side?" "A devoted servant of your majesty's, M. de St. Maline," said D'Epernon, glancing at Ernanton to see the effect of his words: but Ernanton remained unmoved. CHAPTER XXXIX. THE SEVEN SINS OF MAGDALENE. The king, however, on seeing his horses, did not wish to be alone in the carriage, but desired D'Epernon to sit by him. De Loignac and St. Maline rode on each side, and an outrider in front. The king was, as usual, surrounded by dogs, and there was also a table in the carriage, covered with illuminated pictures, which the king cut out with wonderful skill, in spite of the movement of the carriage. He was just then occupied with the life of Magdalene, the sinner. The different pictures were labeled "Magdalene gives way to the sin of anger"--"Magdalene gives way to the sin of gluttony," and so on through the seven cardinal sins. The one that the king was occupied with, as they passed through the Porte St. Antoine, represented Magdalene giving way to anger.