Part 111 (1/2)
”You, Margot!” said he. ”Where are you going at this hour?”
”At this hour!” said Marguerite. ”Is it so late?”
”I ask where you are going?”
”To find a book of Cicero's speeches, which I think I left at our mother's.”
”Without a light?”
”I supposed the corridor was lighted.”
”Do you come from your own apartments?”
”Yes.”
”What are you doing this evening?”
”Preparing my address for the Polish amba.s.sadors. Is there not a council to-morrow? and does not each one have to submit his address to your Majesty?”
”Have you not some one helping you with this work?”
Marguerite summoned all her strength.
”Yes, brother,” said she, ”Monsieur de la Mole. He is very learned.”
”So much so,” said the Duc d'Alencon, ”that I asked him when he had finished with you, sister, to come and help me, for I am not as clever as you are.”
”And were you waiting for him?” asked Marguerite as naturally as possible.
”Yes,” said D'Alencon, impatiently.
”Then,” said Marguerite, ”I will send him to you, brother, for we have finished my work.”
”But your book?” said Charles.
”I will have Gillonne get it.”
The two brothers exchanged a sign.
”Go,” said Charles, ”and we will continue our round.”
”Your round!” said Marguerite; ”whom are you looking for?”
”The little red man,” said Charles. ”Do you not know that there is a little red man who is said to haunt the old Louvre? My brother D'Alencon claims to have seen him, and we are looking for him.”
”Good luck to you,” said Marguerite, and she turned round. Glancing behind her, she saw the four figures gather close to the wall as if in conference. In an instant she had reached her own door.
”Open, Gillonne,” said she, ”open.”
Gillonne obeyed.