Part 106 (1/2)

”With the queen!” cried Charles, bursting into a nervous laugh.

”With the queen,” murmured D'Alencon, turning as pale as death.

”No, no,” said Charles, ”De Guise told me he had met Marguerite's litter.”

”Yes,” said Catharine, ”she has a house in town.”

”In the Rue Cloche Percee!” cried the King.

”Oh! oh! this is too much,” said D'Alencon, driving his nails into his breast. ”And to have had him recommended to me!”

”Ah! now that I think of it!” said the King, stopping suddenly, ”it was he who defended himself against us last night, and who hurled the silver bowl at my head, the wretch!”

”Oh, yes!” repeated Francois, ”the wretch!”

”You are right, my children,” said Catharine, without appearing to understand the feelings which incited both of her sons to speak. ”You are right, for a single indiscreet act of this gentleman might cause a horrible scandal, and ruin a daughter of France. One moment of madness would be enough for that.”

”Or of vanity,” said Francois.

”No doubt, no doubt,” said Charles. ”And yet we cannot bring the case into court unless Henriot consents to appear as plaintiff.”

”My son,” said Catharine, placing her hand on Charles's shoulder in such a way as to call the King's attention to what she was about to propose, ”listen to what I say. A crime has been committed, and there may be scandal. But this sort of offence to royalty is not punished by judges and hangmen. If you were simple gentlemen, I should have nothing to say to you, for you are both brave, but you are princes, you cannot cross swords with mere country squires. Think how you can avenge yourselves as princes.”

”The devil!” cried Charles, ”you are right, mother, and I will consider it.”

”I will help you, brother,” cried Francois.

”And I,” said Catharine, unfastening the black silk girdle which was wound three times about her waist, and the two ta.s.sels of which fell to her knees. ”I will retire, but I leave you this to represent me.”

And she threw the girdle at the feet of the two princes.

”Ah! ah!” said Charles, ”I understand.”

”This girdle”--said D'Alencon, picking it up.

”Is punishment and silence,” said Catharine, victorious; ”but,” she added, ”there would be no harm in mentioning this to Henry.”

She withdrew.

”By Heaven!” said D'Alencon; ”a good idea, and when Henry knows that his wife has betrayed him--So,” he added, turning to the King, ”you will adopt our mother's suggestion?”

”In every detail,” said Charles, not doubting but that he would drive a thousand daggers into D'Alencon's heart. ”This will annoy Marguerite, but it will delight Henriot.”

Then, calling one of his guards, he ordered Henry summoned, but thinking better of it:

”No, no,” said he, ”I will go for him myself. Do you, D'Alencon, inform D'Anjou and De Guise.”

Leaving his apartments, he ascended the private stairway to the second floor, which led to Henry's chamber.