I. THE SEVEN DEVILS 1
II. THE THRUST OF NEVERS 13
III. A BUYER OF BLADES 32
IV. THE LITTLE PARISIAN 48
V. THE PARRY TO THE THRUST OF NEVERS 62
VI. THE MOAT OF CAYLUS 73
VII. BROTHERS-IN-ARMS 82
VIII. THE FIGHT IN THE MOAT 91
IX. THE SCYTHE OF TIME 100
X. A VILLAGE FAIR 108
XI. ÆSOP REDUX 114
XII. FLORA 124
XIII. CONFIDENCES 132
XIV. "I AM HERE!" 139
XV. THE KING'S WORD 152
XVI. SHADOWS 159
XVII. IN THE GARDEN 172
XVIII. THE FACTION OF GONZAGUE 185
XIX. THE HALL OF THE THREE LOUIS 198
XX. A CONFIDENTIAL AGENT 209
XXI. THE PRINCESS DE GONZAGUE 219
XXII. THE FAMILY COUNCIL 225
XXIII. THE KING'S BALL 237
XXIV. THE ROSE-COLORED DOMINO 247
XXV. THE GLOVE OF COCARDASSE 257
XXVI. THE REWARD OF ÆSOP 266
XXVII. ÆSOP IN LOVE 278
XXVIII. THE SIGNATURE OF ÆSOP 290
XXIX. THE DEAD SPEAKS 298
I