Part 12 (2/2)
”The Comte Lerac de la Mole.”
The young men bowed to each other.
”What can I do for you, sir?” asked De Mouy.
”Sir, I am just arrived from Aix, and bring a letter from M. d'Auriac, Governor of Provence. This letter is directed to the King of Navarre and contains important and pressing news. How can I give it to him? How can I enter the Louvre?”
”Nothing is easier than to enter the Louvre, sir,” replied De Mouy; ”but I fear the King of Navarre will be too busy to see you at this hour.
However, if you please, I will take you to his apartments, and then you must manage for yourself.”
”A thousand thanks!”
”Come, then,” said De Mouy.
De Mouy dismounted, threw the reins to his lackey, stepped toward the wicket, pa.s.sed the sentinel, conducted La Mole into the chateau, and, opening the door leading to the king's apartments:
”Enter, and inquire for yourself, sir,” said he.
And saluting La Mole, he retired.
La Mole, left alone, looked round.
The ante-room was vacant. One of the inner doors was open. He advanced a few paces and found himself in a pa.s.sage.
He knocked and spoke, but no one answered. The profoundest silence reigned in this part of the Louvre.
”What was told me about the stern etiquette of this place?” said he to himself. ”One may come and go in this palace as if it were a public place.”
Then he called again, but without obtaining any better result than before.
”Well, let us walk straight on,” thought he, ”I must meet some one,” and he proceeded down the corridor, which grew darker and darker.
Suddenly the door opposite that by which he had entered opened, and two pages appeared, lighting a lady of n.o.ble bearing and exquisite beauty.
The glare of the torches fell full on La Mole, who stood motionless.
The lady stopped also.
”What do you want, sir?” said she, in a voice which fell upon his ears like exquisite music.
”Oh, madame,” said La Mole, casting down his eyes, ”pardon me; I have just parted from M. de Mouy, who was so good as to conduct me here, and I wish to see the King of Navarre.”
”His majesty is not here, sir; he is with his brother-in-law. But, in his absence, could you not say to the queen”--
”Oh, yes, madame,” returned La Mole, ”if I could obtain audience of her.”
”You have it already, sir.”
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