I have no doubt, gentlemen, that you will think harshly of
me because I did not enlighten the Vicomte. But there were reasons
for which I trust you will not press me, since I shall find it
difficult to answer you with truth."
"But is your name Lesperon?" cried Lesperon.
"That, monsieur, is a small matter. Whether my name is Lesperon or
not, I confess to having practised a duplicity upon the Vicomte and
his family, since I am certainly not the Lesperon whose identity I
accepted. But if I accepted that identity, monsieur, I also
accepted your liabilities, and so I think that you should find it
in your heart to extend me some measure of forgiveness. As Rene de
Lesperon, of Lesperon in Gascony, I was arrested last night at
Lavedan, and, as you may observe, I am being taken to Toulouse to
stand the charge of high treason. I have not demurred; I have not
denied in the hour of trouble the identity that served me in my
hour of need. I am taking the bitter with the sweet, and I assure
you, gentlemen, that the bitter predominates in a very marked degree."
"But this must not be," cried Lesperon, rising. "I know not what use
you may have made of my name, but I have no reason to think that you
can have brought discredit upon it, and so--"
"I thank you, monsieur, but--"
"And so I cannot submit that you shall go to Toulouse in my stead.
Where is this officer whose prisoner you are? Pray summon him,
monsieur, and let us set the matter right.
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