Rafael Sabatini

“ CHAPTER XVII THE BABBLING OF GANYMÈDE NEVER until that hour, as I stood in the porch of the Hôtel de l'Épée, hearkening to my henchman's narrative and to the bursts of laughter which ever and anon it provoked from his numerous listeners, had I dreamed of the raconteur talents which Rodenard might boast. Yet was I very far from being appreciative now that I discovered them, for the story that he told was of how one Marcel Saint-Pol, Marquis de Bardelys, had laid a wager with the Comte de Chatellerault that he would woo and win Mademoiselle de Lavédan to wife within three months. ”

“ Rodenard should pay for it—by God, he should! Once again did I become a prey to the passion of anger which I have ever held to be unworthy in a gentleman, but to which it would seem that I was growing accustomed to give way. ”

“ It was high noon of the morrow. Our horses stood saddled; indeed, some of my men were already mounted—for I was not minded to disband them until Beaugency was reached—and my two coaches were both ready for the journey. The habits of a lifetime are not so easy to abandon even when Necessity raises her compelling voice. ”

“ Already I was striding to the door, when the Gascon called me back.
“What good will that do?” he asked. “Were it not better first to return to Toulouse and obtain a counter-warrant from the King?”
There was wisdom in his words—much wisdom. But my blood was afire, and I was in too hot a haste to reason.
“Return to Toulouse?” I echoed scornfully. “A waste of time, Captain. No, I will go straight to Lavédan. I need no counter-warrant. I know too much of this Chevalier's affairs, and my very presence should be enough to stay his hand. He is as foul a traitor as you'll find in France ”

“ Would she not think, naturally enough, that I was but making the best of the situation, and that my avowal of the truth of a story which it was not in my power to deny was not spontaneous, but forced from me by circumstances? ”