ne; but there was that accursed wager,
and--to restrain me--the thought of how such an action might be
construed into an evasion of its consequences. Better a thousand times
that His Majesty should order his arrest and deal with him for his
attempted perversion of justice to the service of his own vile ends. The
charge of having abused his trust as King's commissioner to the extent
of seeking to do murder through the channels of the Tribunal was one
that could not fail to have fatal results for him--as, indeed, the King
had sworn.

That was the position of affairs as it concerned Chatellerault, the
world, and me. But the position must also be considered as it concerned
Roxalanne, and deeply, indeed, did I so consider it. Much pondering
brought me again to the conclusion that until I had made the only
atonement in my power, the only atonement that would leave me with clean
hands, I must not again approach her.

Whether Chatellerault had cheated or not could not affect the question
as it concerned Mademoiselle and me. If I paid the wager--whether in
honour bound to do so or not--I might then go to her, impoverished,
it is true, but at least with no suspicion attaching to my suit of any
ulterior object other than that of winning Roxalanne herself.

I could then make confession, and surely the fact that I had paid where
clearly there was no longer any need to pay must earn me forgiveness and
afford proof of the sincerity of my passion.

Upon such a course, then, did I decide, and, with this end in view, I
took my way towards the Auberge Royale, where His Majesty had told me
that the Count was lodged. It was my purpose to show myself fully aware
of the treacherous and unworthy part he had played at the very inception
of the affair, and that if I chose to consider the wager lost it was
that I might the more honestly win the lady.

Upon inquiring at the hostelry for Monsieur de Chatellerault I was
informed by the servant I addressed that he was within, but that at the
moment he had a visitor. I replied that I would wait, and demanded a
private room, since I desired to avoid meeting any Court acquaintances
who might chance into the auberge before I had seen the Count.

My apparel at the moment may not have been all that could have been
desired, but when a gentleman's rearing has taken place amid an army of
servitors to minister to his every wish, he is likely to have acquired
an air that is wont to win him obedience. With