"I am at your highness's orders." "Do what you intended to do; return to M. de Guiche, send away all those whom you may find there, and have the kindness yourself to go away too." "Madame--" "Let us waste no time in useless explanations. Accept the fact as I present it to you; see nothing in it beyond what is really there, and ask nothing further than what I tell you. I am going to send one of my ladies, perhaps two, because it is now getting late. I do not wish them to see you, or, rather, I do not wish you to see them. These are scruples which you can understand--you particularly, Monsieur de Manicamp, who seem to be capable of divining everything." "Oh, madame, perfectly. I can even do better still: I will precede, or rather walk in advance of your attendants; it will, at the same time, be a means of showing them the way more accurately, and of protecting them if it happened any occasion might occur, though there is no probability of their needing protection." "And by this means, then, they would be sure of entering without any difficulty, would they not?" "Certainly, madame: for, as I should be the first to pass, I should remove any difficulties which might chance to be in the way." "Very well; go, go, Monsieur de Manicamp, and wait at the bottom of the staircase." "I go at once, madame." "Stay." Manicamp paused. "When you hear the footsteps of two women descending the stairs, go out, and, without once turning round, take the road which leads to where the poor comte is lying." "But if, by any mischance, two other persons were to descend, and I were to be mistaken?" "You will hear one of the two clap her hands together very softly. So go." Manicamp turned round, bowed once more, and left the room, his heart overflowing with joy. In fact, he knew very well that the presence of Madame herself would be the best balm to apply to his friend's wounds. A quarter of an hour had hardly elapsed when he heard the sound of a door being opened softly and closed with the same precaution. He listened to the light footfalls gliding down the staircase, and then heard the signal agreed upon. He immediately went out, and, faithful to his promise, bent his way, without once turning round his head, through the streets of Fontainebleau toward the doctor's dwelling. CHAPTER XXVIII. M. MALICORNE THE KEEPER OF THE RECORDS OF THE REALM OF FRANCE.