ve enough for our wives and
children, we care for little else. Some among us might desire a command,
and they should have it. We are not difficult to satisfy."

"I know you are all honest, and would not suffer a mixture in your
ranks."

"No, no!" cried several voices.

"Now, M. Poulain," said the duke, "are there many idlers and bad people
in the Ile de France?"

Nicholas Poulain, who had hitherto kept in the background, was now
forced to advance. "Certainly, monseigneur, there are a great many," he
replied.

"Could you guess at their number?"

"About four thousand thieves, three thousand or more beggars, and four
or five hundred assassins."

"Well, there are at least eight thousand good-for-nothings; of what
religion are they?"

Poulain laughed. "Of all, monseigneur; or, rather, of none; gold is
their god, and blood their prophet."

"Yes; but their politics? Are they Valois, Leaguers, Navarrais, or
what?"

"Robbers only."

"Monseigneur," said Cruce, "do not suppose that we mean to take these
people for allies!"

"No, I do not suppose so; and that is what disturbs me."

"And why so, monseigneur?" they asked with surprise.

"Because as soon as there are no longer magistrates in Paris, as soon as
there is no longer royalty, or public force, or anything to restrain
them, they will begin to pillage your shops while you fight, and your
houses while you occupy the Louvre. Sometimes they will join the Swiss
against you, and sometimes you against the Swiss, so that they will
always be the strongest."

"Diable!" cried the deputies, looking at each other.

"I think this is a question for grave consideration, gentlemen," said
the duke. "I will think it over, and endeavor to find the means of
overcoming the difficulty; your interests, before our own, has ever been
our maxim."

The deputies gave a murmur of approbation.

"Now, gentlemen, permit a man who has traveled twenty-four leagues on
horseback in forty-eight hours to seek a little sleep."

"We humbly take our leave, monseigneur," said Brigard; "what day shall
you fix for our next meeting?"

"As soon as possible, gentlemen; to-morrow, or the day after. Au
revoir."

No sooner had he disappeared than a door opened, and a woman rushed in.

"The duchesse!" they cried.

"Yes, gentlemen; who comes to save you from your embarrassments. What
the Hebrews could not do, Judith did; hope, then, gentlemen, for I also
have my plan;" and she disappeared throug