it the burghers will fly to arms; and who can
answer for the result of an affair between cavalry and citizens in these
narrow streets?" replied the marechal.

"Monseigneur," said Robertet, rushing hastily up the stairs, "the
Chancelier de l'Hopital is at the gate and asks to enter; are we to let
him in?"

"Yes, open the gate," answered the cardinal. "Connetable and chancelier
together would be dangerous; we must separate them. We have been boldly
tricked by the queen-mother into choosing l'Hopital as chancellor."

Robertet nodded to a captain of the guard, who awaited an answer at
the foot of the staircase; then he turned round quickly to receive the
orders of the cardinal.

"Monseigneur, I take the liberty," he said, making one last effort, "to
point out that the sentence should be approved by _the king in council_.
If you violate the law on a prince of the blood, it will not be
respected for either a cardinal or a Duc de Guise."

"Pinard has upset your mind, Robertet," said the cardinal, sternly. "Do
you not know that the king signed the order of execution the day he was
about to leave Orleans, in order that the sentence might be carried out
in his absence?"

The lieutenant-general listened to this discussion without a word, but
he took his brother by the arm and led him into a corner of the hall.

"Undoubtedly," he said, "the heirs of Charlemagne have the right to
recover the crown which was usurped from their house by Hugh Capet; but
can they do it? The pear is not yet ripe. Our nephew is dying, and the
whole court has gone over to the king of Navarre."

"The king's heart failed him, or the Bearnais would have been stabbed
before now," said the cardinal; "and we could easily have disposed of
the Valois children."

"We are very ill-placed here," said the duke; "the rebellion of the town
will be supported by the States-general. L'Hopital, whom we protected
while the queen-mother opposed his appointment, is to-day against us,
and yet it is all-important that we should have the justiciary with us.
Catherine has too many supporters at the present time; we cannot send
her back to Italy. Besides, there are still three Valois princes--"

"She is no longer a mother, she is all queen," said the cardinal. "In my
opinion, this is the moment to make an end of her. Vigor, and more and
more vigor! that's my prescription!" he cried.

So saying, the cardinal returned to the king's chamber, followed by the
duke. The prie