"
"To whom did you lend the cloak?"
"To tell that might bring another innocent man under a cloud. Besides,
I have been absent thirty days; that is a long time to remember so
trivial a thing."
"Which is to say that you refuse to tell me?" not without some
admiration.
"It is," quietly.
"Your exoneration for the name, Chevalier. The alternative is your
resignation from the Guards and your exile."
Exile from Paris was death to the courtier; but the Chevalier was more
than a courtier, he was a soldier. "I refuse to tell you, Monseigneur.
It is unfair of you to ask me."
"So be it. For the sake of your father, the marquis,--and I have often
wondered why you never assume your lawful title,--for the sake of your
father, then, who is still remembered kindly by her Majesty, I shall
not send you to the Bastille as was my original intention. Your exile
shall be in the sum of five years. You are to remain in France. If
you rebel and draw your sword against your country, confiscation and
death. You are also prohibited from offering your services to France
against any nation she may be at war with. If within these five years
you set foot inside of Paris, the Bastille, with an additional three
years.
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