"Ah!" said the king, as if he had expected the name, and yet as if its announcement had caused him a sudden pang; "ah! it was Mademoiselle de la Valliere who was insulted." "I do not say precisely that she was insulted, sire." "But at all events--" "I merely say that she was spoken of in terms far from respectful." "A man dares to speak in disrespectful terms of Mademoiselle de la Valliere, and yet you refuse to tell me the name of the insulter." "Sire, I thought it was quite understood that your majesty had abandoned the idea of making me denounce him." "Perfectly true, monsieur," returned the king, controlling his anger: "besides, I shall always know in sufficient time the name of the man whom I shall feel it my duty to punish." Manicamp perceived that they had returned to the question again. As for the king, he saw he had allowed himself to be hurried away a little too far, and he therefore continued: "And I will punish him--not because there is any question of Mademoiselle de La Valliere, although I esteem her very highly--but because a lady was the object of the quarrel. And I intend that ladies shall be respected at my court, and that quarrels shall be put a stop to altogether." Manicamp bowed. "And now, Monsieur de Manicamp," continued the king, "what was said about Mademoiselle de la Valliere?" "Cannot your majesty guess?" "I?" "Your majesty can imagine the character of the jests in which young men permit themselves to indulge." "They very probably said that she was in love with some one?" the king ventured to remark. "Probably so." "But Mademoiselle de la Valliere has a perfect right to love any one she pleases," said the king. "That is the very point De Guiche maintained." "And on account of which he fought, do you mean?" "Yes, sire, the very sole cause." The king colored. "And you do not know anything more, then?" "In what respect, sire?" "In the very interesting respect which you are now referring to." "What does your majesty wish to know?" "Why, the name of the man with whom La Valliere is in love, and whom De Guiche's adversary disputed her right to love." "Sire, I know nothing--I have heard nothing--and have learned nothing, even accidentally; but De Guiche is a noble-hearted fellow, and if, momentarily, he substituted himself in the place or stead of La Valliere's protector, it was because that protector was himself of too exalted a position to undertake her defense." These words were more than transparent; they made the king blush, but this time with pleasure. He struck Manicamp gently on the shoulder. "Well, well, Monsieur de Manicamp, you are not only a ready, witty fellow, but a brave gentleman besides, and your friend De Guiche is a paladin quite after my own heart; you will express that to him from me." "Your majesty forgives me, then?" "Completely." "And I am free?"