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Let the result be what it might, it could not be worse than this, and this I could endure no longer. "Listen, Roxalanne!" "I will not listen! Enough of insults have I heard already. Let me go!" "Nay, but you shall hear me. I am not Rene de Lesperon. Had these Marsacs been less impetuous and foolish, had they waited to have seen me this morning, they would have told you so."
"Often, I confess, rumour may swell the importance of such an affaire, but in this case I do not think that rumour does it justice." I made a deprecatory gesture, and I would have had the subject changed, but ere I could make an effort to that end, the fool Saint-Eustache was babbling again. "You remember the duel that was fought in consequence, Monsieur de Lesperon?" "Yes," I assented wearily.
Wait until I am in Toulouse, my malapert friend." Castelroux drew himself up, straight as a rapier, his face slightly flushed and his glance angry, yet he had the presence of mind to restrain himself, partly at least. "I have my orders from the Keeper of the Seals, to effect the apprehension of Monsieur de Lesperon; and to deliver him up, alive or dead, at Toulouse.
But when later you shall come to hear the truth when, after I am gone, they may tell you a strange story touching this fellow Lesperon who sought the hospitality of your father's house bethink you of my restraint in this hour; bethink you of my departure. You will understand these things perhaps afterwards. But bethink you of them, and you will unriddle them for yourself, perhaps.
It is a great compliment that he pays us in sending hither the handsomest and most accomplished gentleman of all his Court so fame has it yet it is a compliment of whose flattery I am not sensible. Bardelys goes hence as empty-handed as went Chatellerault. Let him but show his face, and my daughter journeys to Auch again. Am I not well advised, Monsieur de Lesperon?"
What if I were to tell him that I was not Lesperon no rebel at all, in fact but Marcel de Bardelys, the King's favourite? That he would account me a spy I hardly thought; but assuredly he would see that my life must be a danger to his own; he must fear betrayal from me; and to protect himself he would be justified in taking extreme measures.
"Monsieur de Lesperon, I can but express amazement at your effrontery. If we have been acquainted in the past, do you think that is a sufficient reason for me to take your hand now that you have placed yourself in a position which renders it impossible for His Majesty's loyal servants to know you?" I fell back a pace, my mind scarce grasping yet the depths of this inexplicable attitude.
The President chuckled evilly, and his satellites smiled in polite reflection of his mood. "This acute differentiating is peculiar, Monsieur de Lesperon, to persons of unsound mental condition," said he. "I am afraid that it will serve little purpose. A man is generally known by his name, is he not?" I did not answer him. "Shall we call Monsieur de Castelroux to confirm what I have said?"
"I would, gentlemen," I cried, addressing them all, "that His Majesty were here to see how you conduct your trials and defile his Courts. As for you, Monsieur le President, you violate the sanctity of your office in giving way to anger; it is a thing unpardonable in a judge. I have told you in plain terms, gentlemen, that I am not this Rene de Lesperon with whose crimes you charge me.
"In the pocket of my doublet they found some papers addressed to Rene de Lesperon some love letters, a communication from the Duc d'Orleans, and a woman's portrait. From all of this it was assumed that I was that Lesperon.
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