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All this made so considerable a gulf in the thirty-one Henris that I resolved to transmute the diamond into gold. I consulted Sarlaboux, who, to his disgust, had been left behind in Poitiers. He looked at the diamond, and said he would buy it for a hundred and twenty livres; but protested, with oaths, that he had but ten crowns in the world, and would, therefore, not be able to pay me at once.
Far in front of me mademoiselle rode, the white feathers in her hat fluttering like a bird, and little puffs of dust rising beneath her horse's hoofs. For a moment I thought she had made good her word to Montluc but for a moment only. Sarlaboux was right when he said I had chosen the best horse in Poitou.
If the Cardinal had escaped it was more than probable that mademoiselle was safe; but I resolved to make sure. "There were no ladies taken, were there?" Sarlaboux cocked his eye and looked at me. "Eh bien! My dear monsieur, are you finding it dull here? If so, I confess so do I. This is a city of the saints. Alas, no! There were no ladies taken, as far as I know; only De Ganache."
I guessed his needs, and a brace of crowns to further the conversion of the Jewess rid me of the rascal. Then bidding Pierrebon be ready to start in a couple of hours I went in search of Sarlaboux. I found that worthy in the archway of the main gate playing at cards with Ménorval. "Ogier beats you." And Ménorval put down the knave of spades. "Out upon the knave! Here is Pallas."
Again the shout rose from below, and Montluc rasped out: "Come, De Ganache, two looks are enough!" "I'll give you three to do it in, Monsieur de Montluc," I burst forth, and shaking Sarlaboux off stepped up to the General. "You!" he snarled. "Monsieur," I exclaimed, "this will cover you with shame! This is the act of a tiger, not a man. Forbear! for the sake of your own fame, your own honour."
He could not speak, but I understood; and now Sarlaboux urged an immediate move, saying that the sooner De Ganache was away the better, as there was no knowing what might happen next. With this he led the way down, and we followed.
Dismounting, I looked carefully at the saddlery of my party, and then paced up and down the flagged court in converse with Sarlaboux, who must have found me somewhat dull, for he rallied me, offering, if I liked not the task of taking a pretty woman all the way to Paris, to take my place, as he had need of a wife and a dowry to rebuild his house.
I could endure it no longer, and made a step forward; but, growling something that I did not catch, Sarlaboux seized me by the arm and drew me back. Just at this moment Montluc laughed a bitter, stinging laugh; and the wretched prisoner, swinging round, nerved himself to step again to the embrasure, and stopped there tottering.
On arrival at the Capuchins my first thought was to see Montluc at once, and although Sarlaboux and others tried to dissuade me I persisted in my design, and found myself once more before the door of his cabinet. On my entering he received me coldly, and, without making any reference to what had just happened, inquired my business as if he had totally forgotten his summons to me.
"Morbleu!" grumbled Ménorval, "if this is the pay that royal messengers get, away with my gilt spurs, and give me the wings of Mercury to my heels." And so, laughing, we reached the stables, where Sarlaboux bid me take my choice, his face falling a little when he saw me halt before the dun mare. From her looks I saw she was likely to carry me well; and then, there was Montluc's own recommendation.
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