D'Argenson, with his great wig, large black eyes, and dark shaggy eyebrows, made little impression on the chevalier; he knew that in joining the conspiracy he sacrificed his happiness, and that in entering the Bastille he had sacrificed his life. In this mood, it was difficult to frighten him. D'Argenson asked a hundred questions which Gaston refused to answer, replying only by complaints of being unjustly arrested, and demanding proof. M. d'Argenson became angry, and Gaston laughed in his face; then D'Argenson spoke of the Breton conspiracy; Gaston assumed astonishment, and listened to the list of his accomplices with the greatest sangfroid. When the magistrate had finished, he thanked him for giving him intelligence of events which were quite new to him. D'Argenson again lost patience, and gave his ordinary angry cough. Then he passed from interrogatory to accusation. "You wanted to kill the regent," said he, all at once, to the chevalier. "How do you know that?" asked Gaston, calmly. "Never mind how, since I know it." "Then I will answer you as Agamemnon did Achilles. Why ask, since you know it?" "Monsieur, I am not jesting," said D'Argenson. "Nor I," said Gaston; "I only quote Racine." "Take care, monsieur, you may find this system of defense do you no good." "Do you think it would be better to confess what you ask me?" "It is useless to deny a fact which I am aware of." "Then permit me to repeat my question: what is the use of asking me about a project of which apparently you are so much better informed than I am?" "I want the details." "Ask your police, which reads even people's most secret thoughts." "Hum, hum," said D'Argenson, in a tone which, in spite of Gaston's courage, made some impression on him, "what would you say if I asked news of your friend La Jonquiere?" "I should say," replied Gaston, turning pale, "that I hope the same mistake has not been made about him as about me." "Ah!" said D'Argenson, "that name touches you, I think--you know M. la Jonquiere?" "I know him as a friend, recommended to me to show me Paris." "Yes--Paris and its environs; the Palais Royal, the Rue du Bac, or La Muette: he was to show you all these, was he not?" "They know all," thought Gaston. "Well, monsieur," said D'Argenson, "can you find another verse from Racine which will serve as an answer to my question?" "Perhaps I might, if I knew what you meant; certainly I wished to see the Palais Royal, for it is a curious place, and I have heard it much spoken of. As to the Rue du Bac, I know little of it; then there only remains La Muette, of which I know nothing." "I do not say that you have been there; I say that La Jonquiere was to take you there--do you dare to deny it." "Ma foi, monsieur, I neither deny nor avow; I refer you to him; he will answer you if he think fit." "It is useless, monsieur; he has been asked, and has replied."