"Monsieur de Blenau," said Chavigni, as soon as the door was closed, "it was not worth while to detain you here for an hour or two, till such time as the order could be sent for your emancipation; I therefore drew it out in the lodge.--But you owe me nothing for that;" he continued, seeing that De Blenau was about to thank him for the supposed service. "I made it an excuse to stay behind, in order to seek an answer to a question or two. Now, I make no pretence of asking you these questions as a friend, for I know that you consider me not as such; but I do it merely on my own account, wishing for information on some points regarding which you alone can satisfy me. It is your business, therefore, to consider before you answer, whether so to do be for your interest or not. The only thing I will promise, which I do honestly, is, not to let your replies go beyond my own breast."
"The method of your address is certainly extraordinary, Monsieur de Chavigni," replied De Blenau: "but however we may differ on many points, I give you credit for so much frankness, that I believe you would not betray even your enemy if he relied on you: neither do I know, or rather recollect, at this moment, any question I should hesitate to answer. Therefore propose what you think fit, and I will satisfy you, or not, as suits my convenience."
"Between you and me, Monsieur de Blenau, there is no need of fine words. I have always found you strictly honourable, and therefore I rely on what you tell me, as if it were within the scope of my own knowledge. In the first place, then, you have been witness to an extraordinary scene to-day.--Are you at all aware from what cause the King has acted as he has done, so at variance with his conduct for fifteen years?"
"Particularly, I am aware of no cause, and can only conjecture that his Majesty is tired of being dictated to by his servant?"
"Umph!" said Chavigni, in a tone of dissatisfaction; "there is no need to triumph, Monsieur de Blenau. Am I to believe that you know of no one who has instigated the King to take such singular steps in your favour?"
"Of none whatever!" answered the Count; "unless it were her Majesty the Queen,--the effect of any application from whom, would be quite different, I should conceive."