"
Marin burst into loud protestations of his innocence, declaring
that he was as innocent as the lamb just born. I refused to
believe this, and desired he would explain to me why he went so
frequently to the apartments of M. Chamilly.
"Alas, madam!" replied Marin, "I go thither but to solicit his
aid in craving the bounty of his majesty."
"You are for ever pleading poverty, miserly being," cried I; "you
are far richer than I am; but since you want money I will supply
you with it, and in return you shall be my secret newsman, and
royal censor in my service. Now understand me clearly; every
month that you faithfully bring me an account of certain goings
on, I will count into your hand five and twenty
."
I must confess that Marin only accepted my proposition with much
reluctance, but still he did accept it, and withdrew, meditating,
no doubt, how he should be enabled to satisfy both Chamilly
and myself.
A long time elapsed before Marin brought me any news of importance,
and I began to feel considerable doubts of his fidelity, when he
came to communicate a very important piece of intelligence. He
had just learned that Chamilly frequently went to Paris, the
bearer of letters from the 'king to a young and pretty female,
named madame de Rumas, who resided in the old rue du Temple.
Here was a pretty discovery; the king actually engaged in a love
affair, letters passing between him and his mistress, whilst the
head was acting the part of Mercury to the
lovers.
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