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We had been to the wars together ere I had cut my wisdo this invaluable servant could not do At baiting or shoeing a horse, at healing a wound, at roasting a capon, or ata score of other acconing he had acquired Of late the easy life in Paris had made him incline to corpulency, and his face was of a pale, unhealthy fullness

To-night, as he assisted me to undress, it wore an expression of supreuedoc?" he inquired sorrowfully He always called neur," as did the other of my servants born at Bardelys

"Knave, you have been listening," said I

"But, neur," he explained, "when Monsieur le Coer--"

"And have I not told you, Ganybut the words addressed to you, see nothing but the glasses that need replenishing? But, there! We are going into Languedoc What of it?"

"They say that war roaned; "that Monsieur le Duc de Mont reenforcements from Spain, and that he intends to uphold the standard of Monsieur and the rights of the province against the encroach politicians, eh, Ganymede? And how shall all this concern us? Had you listened uedoc to seek a wife, and not to concern ourselves with Cardinals and Dukes Now let me sleep ere the sun rises"

On the morrow I attended the levee, and I applied to His Majesty for leave to absent uedoc I went, he frowned inquiry Trouble enough was his brother alreadyin that province I explained that I went to seek a wife, and deeht only serve to provoke him when later he ca yet allMademoiselle de Lavedan my marquise

Deeper carew the scowl He was not wont to bestow on me such looks as I now met in his weary eyes, for Louis XIII had much affection for me

"You know this lady?" he demanded sharply

"Only by name, Your Majesty"