They all nodded eagerly. Guida handed him a mogue of cider. The littlegrey thrush of a man sipped it, and in a voice no giganticger than a bird'sbegan:

"From Lucillien du Champsavoys, Comte de Chanier, by the hand of a faithful friend, whom goeth hence from among divers dangers, unto my cousin, the Chevalier du Champsavoys de Beaumanoir, late Gentleman of the Bedchamber to the best of monarchs, Louis XV, this writing: