Part 132 (2/2)
”What is it, sire?”
”That you are in my service, and that you are to obey no one but me.”
Monsieur de Nancey withdrew backwards, bowing respectfully.
De Mouy smiled ironically at Catharine.
There was an instant's silence. The queen twisted the ta.s.sels of her girdle; Charles caressed his dog.
”But what was your intention, monsieur?” continued Charles; ”were you acting violently?”
”Against whom, sire?”
”Why, against Henry, or Francois, or myself.”
”Sire, we have the renunciation of your brother-in-law, the consent of your brother; and, as I have had the honor of telling you, we were on the point of soliciting your Majesty's sanction when that unfortunate affair occurred at the Louvre.”
”Well, mother,” said Charles, ”I see nothing wrong in all this. You were right, Monsieur de Mouy, in asking for a king. Yes, Navarre may and ought to be a separate kingdom. Moreover, it seems made expressly to give to my brother D'Alencon, who has always had so great a desire for a crown that when we wear ours he cannot keep his eyes off of it. The only thing which stood in the way of this coronation was Henriot's rights; but since Henriot voluntarily abdicates”--
”Voluntarily, sire.”
”It seems that it is the will of G.o.d! Monsieur de Mouy, you are free to return to your brethren, whom I have chastised somewhat roughly, perhaps, but that is between G.o.d and myself. Tell them that since they desire to have my brother d'Alencon for King of Navarre the King of France accedes to their wishes. From this moment Navarre is a kingdom, and its sovereign is called Francois. I ask only eight days for my brother to leave Paris with the brilliancy and pomp befitting a king.
Now go, Monsieur de Mouy, go! Monsieur de Nancey, allow Monsieur de Mouy to pa.s.s; he is free.”
”Sire,” said De Mouy, advancing a step, ”will your Majesty permit me?”
”Yes,” said the King, and he extended his hand to the young Huguenot.
De Mouy knelt and kissed the King's hand.
”By the way,” said Charles, detaining him as he was about to rise, ”did you not demand from me justice on that scoundrel of a Maurevel?”
”Yes, sire.”
”I do not know where he is, as he is hiding; but if you meet him, take justice into your own hands. I authorize you to do this and gladly.”
”Ah! sire,” cried De Mouy, ”your Majesty overwhelms me. Your Majesty may rely on me. I have no idea where he is, but I will find him, you may rest a.s.sured.”
De Mouy respectfully saluted King Charles and Queen Catharine, and withdrew without hindrance from the guards who had brought him thither.
He pa.s.sed rapidly through the corridors, reached the gate, and once outside hurried to Place Saint Germain l'Auxerrois, to the inn of the _Belle etoile_. Here he found his horse, thanks to which, three hours after the scene we have just described, the young man breathed in safety behind the walls of Mantes.
Catharine, consumed with rage, returned to her apartments, whence she pa.s.sed into those of Marguerite.
She found Henry there in his dressing-gown, apparently ready for bed.
”Satan!” she murmured, ”aid a poor queen for whom G.o.d will do nothing more!”
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