"I never saw him; I know him only by reputation, and I must say that he is said to be a gallant knight and worthy gentleman." "I am to understand that your action is not induced by hatred of any person?" "Go to! if I had a grievance against Baron de Canolles I should challenge him to exchange shots or sword-thrusts with me, and he is too much of a man ever to decline an invitation of that kind." "In that case I must recur to the reason you have given me." "I think you can do no better." "Very good! I understand that you have the letter which proves Mademoiselle de Lartigues to be unfaithful." "Here it is. No offence, but this is the second time I have shown it to you." The older gentleman glanced sadly from afar at the dainty paper, through which he could see the written characters. The young man slowly unfolded the letter. "You recognize the writing, do you not?" "Yes." "Then give me the blank signature, and you shall have the letter." "In a moment. Will you allow me to ask you a question?" "Ask it, monsieur." The young man tranquilly folded the paper again, and replaced it in his pocket. "How did you procure the letter?" "I am quite willing to tell you." "I am listening." "You know that the somewhat extravagant government of the Duc d'Épernon has aroused a strong feeling against him in Guyenne?" "Very well; go on." "You know that the frightfully stingy government of Monsieur de Mazarin has aroused a tremendously strong feeling against him in the capital?" "What have Monsieur de Mazarin and Monsieur d'Épernon to do with the matter?" "One moment; these two strongly contrasted governments have produced a state of things much resembling a general war, in which every one has a share. At this moment Monsieur de Mazarin is fighting for the queen; you are fighting for the king; the coadjutor is fighting for Monsieur de Beaufort; Monsieur de Beaufort is fighting for Madame de Montbazon; Monsieur de La Rochefoucauld is fighting for Madame de Longueville; Monsieur le Duc d'Orléans is fighting for Mademoiselle Soyon; the Parliament is fighting for the people; lastly, Monsieur de Condé, who was fighting for France, has been imprisoned. Now I, who have no great stake to gain by fighting for the queen, for the king, for the coadjutor, for Monsieur de Beaufort, for Madame de Montbazon, for Madame de Longueville, for Mademoiselle Soyon, for the people, or for France, conceived the scheme of espousing no party whatever, but of following the one which I feel inclined to follow at the moment. Thus with me it is a question of expediency pure and simple. What say you to the idea?" "It is ingenious, certainly." "Consequently I have levied an army. You can see it drawn up yonder on the bank of the Dordogne." "Five men? Nonsense!" "That's one more than you have yourself; it doesn't look well, therefore, for you to treat it with contempt."