Still one hears
such extraordinary stories----"
"True!--one does!" agreed the Professor; "And after proper experience,
one hears without listening!"
De Launay looked at him curiously.
"The girl was certainly beautiful," he proceeded meditatively; "And her
adopted father,--Rene Ronsard,--was not that his name?--was a quaint
old fellow. A republican, too!--fiery as a new Danton! Well! The King's
curiosity is apparently satisfied on that score,--but"--here he began
to laugh--"I shall never forget your face, Von Glauben, when he caught
you on The Islands that day!--never! Like an overgrown boy, discovered
with his fingers in a jam-pot!"
"Thank you!" said the Professor imperturbably; "I can assure you that
the jam was excellent--and that I still remember its flavour!"
Sir Roger laughed again, but with great good-humour,--then he became
suddenly serious.
"The King goes out alone very often now?" he said.
"Very often," assented the Professor.
"Are we right in allowing him to do so?"
"Allowing him! Who is to forbid him?"
"Is he safe, do you think?"
"Safer, it would seem, my friend, than when laying a foundation-stone,
with ourselves and all his suite around him!" responded the Professor.
"Besides, it is too late now to count the possible risks of the
adventure he has entered upon.
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