Part 75 (2/2)

continued Henry, turning to the queen, ”be kind enough, I beg you, to see that no one overhears us.”

Scarcely had Henry uttered these words when Gillonne entered, frightened, and whispered a few words to Marguerite, which caused the latter to spring from her seat. While she hastened to the antechamber with Gillonne, Henry, without troubling himself as to why she had left the room, examined the bed, the side of it, as well as the draperies, and sounded the wall with his fingers. As to Monsieur de Mouy, frightened at all these preparations, he first of all made sure that his sword was out of its sheath.

Leaving her sleeping-room, Marguerite hastened to the antechamber and came face to face with La Mole, who in spite of all the protests of Gillonne had forced his way into Marguerite's room.

Coconnas was behind him, ready to urge him forward or sustain a retreat.

”Ah! it is you, Monsieur la Mole!” cried the queen; ”but what is the matter, and why are you so pale and trembling?”

”Madame,” said Gillonne, ”Monsieur de la Mole knocked at the door so that, in spite of your majesty's orders, I was forced to open it.”

”What is the meaning of this?” said the queen, severely; ”is this true, Monsieur de la Mole?”

”Madame, I wanted to warn your majesty that a stranger, a robber perhaps, had gained admittance to your rooms with my cloak and my hat.”

”You are mad, monsieur,” said Marguerite, ”for I see your cloak on your shoulders, and, G.o.d forgive me, I think I see your hat on your head, even though you are speaking to a queen.”

”Oh! pardon me, madame, pardon me!” cried La Mole, quickly uncovering; ”but G.o.d is my witness, it is not my respect which is lacking.”

”No, it is your trust, is it not?” said the queen.

”What can you expect?” cried La Mole, ”when a man is in your majesty's rooms; when he gains admittance by a.s.suming my clothes, and perhaps my name, who knows”--

”A man!” cried Marguerite, softly pressing her poor lover's arm; ”a man!

You are modest, Monsieur de la Mole. Look through the opening of the portiere and you will see two men.”

Marguerite drew back the velvet portiere embroidered in gold, and La Mole saw Henry talking with the man in the cherry-colored cloak.

Coconnas, as though he himself were concerned, looked also, saw, and recognized De Mouy. Both men stood amazed.

”Now that you are rea.s.sured, or at least now that I hope you are,” said Marguerite, ”take your stand outside my door, and for your life, my dear La Mole, let no one enter. If any one even approaches the stairs, warn me.” La Mole, weak and obedient as a child, withdrew, glancing at Coconnas, who looked at him. Both found themselves outside without having thoroughly recovered from their astonishment.

”De Mouy!” cried Coconnas.

”Henry!” murmured La Mole.

”De Mouy with your cherry-colored cloak, your white plume, and your swinging arm.”

”Ah!” went on La Mole, ”the moment it is not a question of love, it is a question of plot.”

”By Heaven! here we are in the midst of politics,” said Coconnas grumbling. ”Fortunately I do not see Madame de Nevers mixed up in it.”

Marguerite returned and sat down by the two speakers. She had been gone only a moment, but had made the most of her time. Gillonne, on guard in the secret pa.s.sage, and the two gentlemen on duty at the main entrance, a.s.sured perfect safety for her.

”Madame,” said Henry, ”do you think it would be possible for us to be overheard in any way?”

”Monsieur,” said Marguerite, ”the walls of this room are wadded, and a double wainscoting deadens all sound.”

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