regenerator, a great rejuvenator!"

I made him no answer other than a sigh, for his words set me thinking,
and with thought came a tempering of the gay humour that had pervaded
me. Remarking this, and misreading it, he laughed outright.

"There, Marcel, never fear. We will not be rigorous. You have won both
the maid and the wager, and, by the Mass, you shall enjoy both."

"Helas, Sire," I sighed again, "when the lady comes to know of the
wager--"

"Waste no time in telling her, Marcel, and cast yourself upon her mercy.
Nay, go not with so gloomy a face, my friend. When woman loves, she can
be very merciful; leastways, they tell me so."

Then, his thoughts shifting ground once more, he grew stern again.

"But first we have Chatellerault to deal with. What shall we do with
him?"

"It is for Your Majesty to decide."

"For me?" he cried, his voice resuming the harshness that was never far
from it. "I have a fancy for having gentlemen about me. Think you I will
set eyes again upon that dastard? I am already resolved concerning him,
but it entered my mind that it might please you to be the instrument of
the law for me."

"Me, Sire?"

"Aye, and why not? They say you can play a very deadly sword upon
necessity. This is an occasion that demands an exception from our edict.
You have my sanction to send the Comte de Chatellerault a challenge. And
see that you kill him, Bardelys!" he continued viciously. "For, by the
Mass, if you don't, I will! If he escapes your sword, or if he survives
such hurt as you may do him, the headsman shall have him. Mordieu! is it
for nothing that I am called Louis the Just?"

I stood in thought for a moment. Then--

"If I do this thing, Sire," I ventured, "the world will say of me that I
did so to escape the payment I had incurred."

"Fool, you have not incurred it. When a man cheats, does he not forfeit
all his rights?"

"That is very true. But the world--"

"Peste!" he snapped impatiently, "you are beginning to weary me,
Marcel--and all the world does that so excellently that it needs not
your collaboration. Go your ways, man, and do as you elect. But take my
sanction to slay this fellow Chatellerault, and I shall be the better
pleased if you avail yourself of it. He is lodged at the Auberge Royale,
where probably you will find him at present. Now, go. I have more
justice to dispense in this rebellious province."

I paused a moment.

"Shall I not resume my duties near Your Majes