human
Why, monsieur, why is he here and why does he bear a charmed name? repeated the other customer, the _bon bourgeois_, joining in the conversation for the first time.
gpt
I will tell you. First, he comes regularly to take his rights of seigniorage, his rents, his taxes, his fourths of all the produce of his vineyards and arable lands on our Côte d'Or. They are rich, these Phélypeaux; have been ever since the days of Charles the Bold, and they are greedy and grasping. Also they are great and powerful--they are of the Pontchartrain blood, and are of the court. One was minister to the late king under the cardinal. And for being bishop, _tiens!_ he was priest under Mazarin, who had been a cavalryman, as monsieur is himself. It was Barberini who told him the gown was better than the sword. And it was Mazarin who made Phélypeaux bishop. To silence him, you understand, monsieur--to silence him. He knew too much.
human
What did he know?
gpt
Ha! he knew much. The king's first love for La Beauvais--his first love--then for Marie de Mancini and for La Mothe Houdancourt. Also he knew Turenne and Condé--and also much more than the world knew or will ever know.
human
Turenne and Condé! St. Georges echoed.
gpt
Two great captains. Two great rivals and friends! So! Perhaps he will tell me something of them to-night. They are names for a soldier to respect. _Bon soir, la compagnie_,
human
Monsieur rides north again to-morrow, as I heard him say. I too go forward to Bar. If monsieur permits, and since the roads are bad and often infested with vile characters, I will ride part way with him.
gpt
As soon after daybreak as possible, monsieur, if that is convenient.
human
It shall be. I will quit Phélypeaux at the dawn. Then St. Georges added aside:
gpt
Comrade, I leave here in the inn the two things dearest to me in the world--my child and horse. I confide them to you. Will you accept the trust until the morning?
human
With the greatest will, monsieur. Trust me. Ere I sleep to-night I will see that all is well with both. You may depend on me.
gpt
So be it, replied St. Georges.
human
I do depend on you. Farewell till dawn,
gpt
he muttered to himself;