Mesmin was commended to me, and is, in a manner, of my
household; and that is a fatal objection. I cannot possibly act
against him in the manner you propose. You must see that; and
for my wishes, he respects them less than your son regards
yours."
M. de Clan rose, trembling a little on his legs, and glaring at
me out of his fierce old eyes. "Very well," he said, "it is as
much as I expected. Times are changed--and faiths--since the
King of Navarre slept under the same bush with Antoine St.
Germain on the night before Cahors! I wish you good-day, M. le
Marquis."
I need not say that my sympathies were with him, and that I would
have helped him if I could; but in accordance with the maxim
which I have elsewhere explained, that he who places any
consideration before the King's service is not fit to conduct it,
I did not see my way to thwart M. de Saintonge in a matter so
small. And the end justified my inaction; for the duel, taking
place that evening, resulted in nothing worse than a serious, but
not dangerous, wound which St.
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