At this moment Gonzague rose and interrupted. "Sire," he said, "I can
tell you something of this man."
Lagardere glanced scornfully at Gonzague. "Sire," he said, "I can tell
you something of this man." He advanced towards Gonzague and addressed
him in a low tone: "On that September night I told you that if you did
not come to Lagardere, Lagardere would come to you. You did not come. I
am here." Then he turned to the princess. "Madame, here, as in the moat
of Caylus Castle; here, as by the picture in your palace, I am wholly in
your service."
Gonzague turned to the king with an appealing gesture. "I implore your
majesty to let no one leave this place. If Monsieur de Lagardere is
desirous of darkness and mystery, I ask only for light and truth."
The king spoke, decisively: "If the attack has been secret, the
justification shall be public."
Gonzague addressed Lagardere: "Where is the woman who calls herself the
daughter of Louis de Nevers?"