the
matter and remembering how high in power and in the King's favour stands
that monstrous libertine Bardelys, I deemed it wiser to afford
shelter to this outrageous retinue. His steward--a flabby, insolent
creature--says that Bardelys left them last night near Mirepoix, to ride
hither, bidding them follow to-day. Curious that we should have no news
of him! That he should have fallen into the Garonne and drowned himself
were too great a good fortune to be hoped for."

The bitterness with which he spoke of me afforded me ample cause for
congratulation that I had resolved to accept the role of Lesperon. Yet,
remembering that my father and he had been good friends, his manner left
me nonplussed. What cause could he have for this animosity to the son?
Could it be merely my position at Court that made me seem in his rebel
eyes a natural enemy?

"You are acquainted with this Bardelys?" I inquired, by way of drawing
him.

"I knew his father," he answered gruffly. "An honest, upright
gentleman."

"And the son," I inquired timidly, "has he none of these virtues?"

"I know not what virtues he may have; his vices are known to all the
world. He is a libertine, a gambler, a rake, a spendthrift. They say he
is one of the King's favourites, and that his monstrous extravagances
have earned for him the title of 'Magnificent'." He uttered a short
laugh. "A fit servant for such a master as Louis the Just!"

"Monsieur le Vicomte," said I, warming in my own defence, "I swear
you do him injustice. He is extravagant, but then he is rich; he is
a libertine, but then he is young, and he has been reared among
libertines; he is a gamester, but punctiliously honourable at play.
Believe me, monsieur, I have some acquaintance with Marcel de Bardelys,
and his vices are hardly so black as is generally believed; whilst in
his favour I think the same may be said that you have just said of his
father--he is an honest, upright gentleman."

"And that disgraceful affair with the Duchesse de Bourgogne?" inquired
Lavedan, with the air of a man setting an unanswerable question.

"Mon Dieu!" I cried, "will the world never forget that indiscretion? An
indiscretion of youth, no doubt much exaggerated outside Court circles."

The Vicomte eyed me in some astonishment for a moment.

"Monsieur de Lesperon," he said at length, "you appear to hold this
Bardelys in high esteem. He has a staunch supporter in you and a stout
advocate. Yet me you cannot convin