Part 125 (2/2)

His first impulse was to run, but with forethought beyond his years he realized that by doing so all would be lost.

He stopped therefore.

”Who calls me?”

”I, Monsieur de Nancey,” replied the captain of the guards, hurrying down the stairs.

”But I am in haste,” said Orthon.

”By order of her majesty the queen mother,” said Monsieur de Nancey, as he came up to him.

The youth wiped the perspiration from his brow and turned back.

The captain followed.

Catharine's first idea had been to stop the young man, have him searched, and take possession of the note which she knew he had. She had planned to accuse him of theft, and with this end in view she had removed from the toilet table a diamond clasp which she was going to say he had taken.

But on reflection she concluded that this would be dangerous, in that it would arouse the boy's suspicions and he would inform his master, who would then begin to mistrust something, and so her enemy would gain an advantage over her.

She could, no doubt, have the young man taken to some dungeon, but the rumor of the arrest, however secretly it might be done, would spread through the Louvre, and the slightest inkling of it would put Henry on his guard. However, she must have the note, for a note from Monsieur de Mouy to the King of Navarre, a note sent with such precautions, surely meant conspiracy.

She put back the clasp from where she had taken it.

”No, no,” said she, ”that would be the method of a guard; it is poor.

But for a note--which perhaps after all is not worth the trouble,” she continued, frowning, and speaking so low that she herself could scarcely hear the sound of her words. ”Well, it is not my fault, but his. Why did not the little scoundrel put the note where he should have put it? I must have this letter.”

Just then Orthon entered.

Catharine's face wore such a terrible expression that the youth stopped on the threshold pale as death. He was still too young to be perfect master of himself.

”Madame,” said he, ”you have done me the honor of calling me back. In what can I serve your majesty?”

Catharine's face lighted up as if a ray of sunlight had touched it.

”I called you back, my child,” said she, ”because your face pleases me, and having promised to help you I am anxious to do so without delay. We queens are sometimes accused of being forgetful. But this is not on account of our hearts, but because our minds are filled with business.

Now I remembered that kings hold men's fortunes in their hands, and so I called you back. Follow me, my child.”

Monsieur de Nancey, who was taking the affair seriously, was greatly surprised at Catharine's affectionate manner.

”Can you ride, my child?” asked Catharine.

”Yes, madame.”

”Then come into my room. I want to give you a message to carry to Saint Germain.”

”I am at your majesty's command.”

<script>