Gascony

Aramis blushed excessively, and snatched rather than took the handkerchief from the hand of the Gascon.

"Ah, you take it with that tone, do you, Master Gascon? Well, I will teach you how to behave yourself."

The Gascon warrior winced a little at the allusion, nor were his countrymen around him better pleased, for on the only occasion when they had encountered the arms of France without English aid they had met with a heavy defeat.

"There are some who say, sire," said the burly De Clisson, "that the score is already overpaid, for that without Gascon help Bertrand had not been taken at Auray, nor had King John been overborne at Poictiers."

The Gascon gave a last twirl to his mustache, a last turn to his hair, brushed, from habit, the brim of his hat with the sleeve of his doublet, and went downstairs.

"Not likely," answered the Gascon; "these marks are regular."