“Be reasonable,” he said. “I lost my temper last night; but after all the fellow was of no account--’tis over now.” “So I wish it to be, your Highness,” replied Luc. “But there is no need,” continued the Duke, “that it should prevent me from doing you the service you came to request.” Luc was silent; he was not insensible to M. de Richelieu’s beautiful grace, to the complete attraction of his person and features that his life, whatever it had been, had not in the least coarsened or spoilt. Such was the power of this charm, delicate, manly, strong, that Luc, though he despised the Duke without affectation, yet felt his scorn overwhelmed in this physical nearness. “Secretary to the Governor of Languedoc is not a post easily obtained,” insisted M. de Richelieu. “And I think we should work well together, Monsieur.” “It is not in your power to give me what I seek, Monsieur,” replied Luc sadly. “Indeed it is impossible.” The Duke drew back a step. “I implore you allow me to depart,” continued the Marquis. “We shall never understand each other.” M. de Richelieu twisted his fingers in the curls on his bosom. “What object have you in keeping silence about last night?” he asked shortly. “What object,” returned Luc proudly, “have I in speaking?” “Oh, you seem to have a great sympathy with heretics and charlatans and the baser sort. And what of your servant?” “He did not see your Highness in the full light. Besides, he was a soldier, and is devoted to the house of de Clapiers; you may, Monseigneur, be assured he will not speak.” “That means that I have taken two obligations from you--my sword last night and your promise now,” said the Duke very proudly. “It is impossible, Monsieur le Marquis, that you should refuse to take anything from me.” “I want nothing of your Highness,” replied Luc; for he thought of the Duke’s offers as so many bribes, nothing more. M. de Richelieu was galled and angry; it was the first time in his life that he had felt himself obliged to anyone. He was an adept in bestowing favours, but had never before received one save from the King. His breeding, however, took the defeat gracefully. “I hope,” he said coldly, “that some day I may be able to balance this.” “There is nothing to balance,” returned Luc earnestly, for the whole interview was irritating him. “Let your Highness forget it all and forget me.” “Will you go to Paris?” asked the Duke abruptly. “Perhaps,” said Luc. His plans were all dashed to the ground, and he had not yet formed others. “Come to me, then, if you ever need help,” said M. de Richelieu, with sudden and characteristic recklessness. “A Puritan like you is like to get into trouble some way.” “I am no Puritan,” returned Luc, flushing slightly, “but an atheist.” M. de Richelieu crossed himself and, at the same time, laughed. “Some day I must introduce you to Monsieur de Voltaire. As for me, I see I can do nothing with you. I wish you success, Monsieur, but I am not very hopeful.”