Part 47 (1/2)

Though Marguerite had not fallen asleep till daybreak she awoke at the first blast of the trumpets, at the first barking of the dogs. She instantly arose and began to put on a costume so negligent that it could not fail to attract attention. Then she summoned her women, and had the gentlemen ordinarily in attendance on the King of Navarre shown into her antechamber, and finally opening the door which shut Henry and De la Mole into the same room, she gave the count an affectionate glance and addressing her husband she said:

”Come, sire, it is not sufficient to have made madame my mother believe in what is not; it still remains for you to convince your whole court that a perfect understanding exists between us. But make yourself quite easy,” added she, laughing, ”and remember my words, rendered almost solemn by the circ.u.mstances. To-day will be the last time that I shall put your majesty to such a cruel test.”

The King of Navarre smiled and ordered his gentlemen to be admitted.

Just as they were bowing to him he pretended suddenly to recollect having left his mantle on the queen's bed and begged their excuse for receiving them in such a way; then, taking his mantle from the hands of Marguerite, who stood blus.h.i.+ng by his side, he clasped it on his shoulder. Next, turning to his gentlemen, he inquired what news there was in the city and at court.

Marguerite was engaged in watching out of the corner of her eye the imperceptible signs of astonishment betrayed by the gentlemen at detecting this newly revealed intimacy between the king and queen of Navarre, when an usher entered, followed by three or four gentlemen, and announced the Duc d'Alencon.

To bring him there Gillonne had only to tell him that the king had spent the night in the queen's room.

Francois rushed in so precipitately that he almost upset those who preceded him. His first glance was for Henry; his next was for Marguerite.

Henry replied with a courteous bow; Marguerite composed her features so that they expressed the utmost serenity.

Then the duke cast a vague but scrutinizing look around the whole room: he saw the two pillows placed at the head of the bed, the derangement of its tapestried coverings, and the king's hat thrown on a chair.

He turned pale, but quickly recovering himself, he said:

”Does my royal brother Henry join this morning with the King in his game of tennis?”

”Does his Majesty do me the honor to select me as his partner?” inquired Henry, ”or is it only a little attention on your part, my brother-in-law?”

”His Majesty has not so said, certainly,” replied the duke, somewhat embarra.s.sed; ”but don't you generally play with him?”

Henry smiled, for so many and such serious events had occurred since he last played with the King that he would not have been astonished to learn that the King had changed his habitual companions at the game.

”I shall go there,” said Henry, with a smile.

”Come,” cried the duke.

”Are you going away?” inquired Marguerite.

”Yes, sister!”

”Are you in great haste?”

”In great haste.”

”Might I venture to detain you for a few minutes?”

Such a request was so unusual coming from Marguerite that her brother looked at her while her color came and went.

”What can she be going to say to him?” thought Henry, no less surprised than the duke himself.

Marguerite, as if she had guessed her husband's thought, turned toward him.

”Sire,” said she, with a charming smile, ”you may go back to his majesty if it seem good to you, for the secret which I am going to reveal to my brother is already known to you, for the reason that the request which I made you yesterday in regard to this secret was as good as refused by your majesty. I should not wish, therefore,” continued Marguerite, ”to weary your majesty a second time by expressing in your presence a wish which seemed to be disagreeable.”