He shot
a furtive glance round him, and I saw him slide his hand behind
him. But I was prepared for that, and as the King moved off a
space I slipped to the man's side, as if to give him some
directions about his game.
"Listen," I said, in a voice heard only by him; "take the
dressing off your hand, and I have you broken on the wheel. You
understand? Now play."
Assuring myself that he did understand, and that Maignan and La
Trape were at hand if he should attempt anything, I went back to
my place, and sitting down by De Vic began to watch that strange
game; while Mademoiselle's laughter and Madame de Lude's gibes
floated across the court, and mingled with the eager applause and
more dexterous criticisms of the courtiers. The light was
beginning to sink, and for this reason, perhaps, no one perceived
the Spaniard's pallor; but De Vic, after a rally or two, remarked
that he was not playing his full strength.
"Wise man!" he added.
"Yes," I said. "Who plays well against kings plays ill."
De Vic laughed.
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