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"Monsieur le Vico in ant, but then he is rich; he is a libertine, but then he is young, and he has been reared aamester, but punctiliously honourable at play Believe me, monsieur, I have some acquaintance with Marcel de Bardelys, and his vices are hardly so black as is generally believed; whilst in his favour I think the same may be said that you have just said of his father--he is an honest, upright gentleraceful affair with the Duchesse de Bourgogne?" inquired Lavedan, with the air of aan unanswerable question

"Mon Dieu!" I cried, "will the world never forget that indiscretion? An indiscretion of youth, no doubt erated outside Court circles"

The Vicomte eyed me in some astonishth, "you appear to hold this Bardelys in high esteem He has a staunch supporter in you and a stout advocate Yet me you cannot convince" And he shook his head solemnly "Even if I did not hold him to be such a on of all the virtues, his co hither remains an act that I must resent"

"But why, Monsieur le Vicos hi a bomb into my bed he could not more effectively have startled hed bitterly "But I can assure you that it is so A o I was visited by the Comte de Chatellerault--another of His Majesty's fine favourites He ca, save that he wasa tour of the province for his ahtest, and I had no desire that it should increase; yet here he installed hi stay

"I was surprised, but on thefrom an old friend of mine at Court, bore me a letter with the information that Monsieur de Chatellerault was cohter's hand in , who loves him, would enrich him; the easiest way is by a wealthy alliance, and Roxalanne is accounted an heiress In addition to that, my oer in the province is knohilst my defection from the Cardinalist party is feared What better link ith to attach ain to the fortunes of the Crown--for Crown and Mitre have grown to be synonyhter to one of the King's favourites?