“And you do not wish satisfaction from me?” slyly.

A fury leaped into D’Herouville’s eyes, but suddenly died away.  “I am living only with that end in view.  It was very clever of you to make them think you were taking up the Chevalier’s cause.  You hoodwinked them nicely.”

The vicomte played with the ends of his mustache, as was his habit.

“You say Madame de Brissac is in Quebec ?”

“Yes.  And presently your own eyes shall prove the truth of my statement.”

D’Herouville glanced at his sword, which hung upon the wall.  “In Quebec,” he mused.  “A lie in this case would be objectless.”

“As you see.  And would you believe it, there has been a love intrigue between her and the Chevalier!  There’s a woman, now!  How cleverly she juggled with us all!”

“The Chevalier?”

“Yes.  How you love that man!  Droll, is it not?  She has been masquerading, and to this day he hasn’t the slightest idea who she is.”

“Come, now, Vicomte,” with assumed good nature; “your purpose; out with it.”

“I am not a man to waste time, certainly.”

“You will give me satisfaction, then?”

“You have but to name the day.  The truth is, under the present circumstances the world has suddenly contracted.”

D’Herouville nodded.  “That is to say, it is no longer large enough for both of us.  I comprehend that perfectly.”

“As I knew you would.  I am exceedingly chagrined,” continued the vicomte, “at seeing you walking above the sod when, by a little more care on my part, you would be resting neatly under it.  But at that time I had no other idea than temporarily to disable you.  Could we but see into the future sometimes!”

“In your place I should recoil from the gift.”  The count was shaking with rage.  “I shall not lose my temper when next we meet.  If you were not careful, I was equally careless.”

“Within a week’s time, Monsieur.  By that date you will be as strong as a bull.  Your vitality is remarkable.  But listen.  Madame de Brissac shall be my wife.  First, I love her for herself; and then because De Brissac left some handsome property.”

“Which has Mazarin’s seals of confiscation upon it,” mockingly.

“They can be removed,” imperturbably.  “I tell you frankly that I shall overcome all obstacles to reach my end.  You are one of the obstacles which must be removed, and I am here this morning expressly to acquaint you with this fact.”

“Perhaps I shall kill you.”

“There will be the Chevalier.”

“Measure swords with him?” sneeringly.  “I believe not.”

“There will still remain Monsieur de Saumaise, who, for all his rhymes, handles a pretty blade.”

D’Herouville snapped his fingers.  “His death I have already determined.”

“Besides, if I read the Chevalier rightly he will force you.  You laughed too loudly.”