This apprehension led me to converse with my captor touching those
trials, seeking to gather from him who were the judges. I learnt
then that besides the ordinary Tribunal, a Commissioner had been
dispatched by His Majesty, and was hourly expected to arrive at
Toulouse. It would be his mission to supervise and direct the
inquiries that were taking place. It was said, he added, that the
King himself was on his way thither, to be present at the trial of
Monsieur le Duc de Montmorency. But he was travelling by easy
stages, and was not yet expected for some days. My heart, which
had leapt at the news, as suddenly sank again with the consideration
that I should probably be disposed of before the King's arrival.
It would behoove me, therefore, to look elsewhere for help and for
some one to swear to my identity.
"Do you know the name of this King's Commissioner?" I asked.
"It is a certain Comte de Chatellerault, a gentleman man said to
stand very high in His Majesty's favour."
"Chatellerault!" I cried in wondering joy.
"You know him?"
"Most excellently!" I laughed. "We are very intimately acquainted."
"Why, then, monsieur, I augur you this gentleman's friendship, and
that it may pilot you through your trouble. Although--" Being
mercifully minded, he stopped short.
But I laughed easily. "Indeed, my dear Captain, I think it will,"
said I; "although friendship in this world is a thing of which the
unfortunate know little.
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