use it?"

"The King is dead," thought Henry, "and she is laying a trap for me."

Aloud, he said:

"I must first hear what the King of France has to say; for from your own
words, madame, all this is mere supposition."

"Doubtless," said Catharine; "but you can tell me your intentions."

"Why!" said Henry, innocently, "having no pretensions, I have no
intentions."

"That is no answer," said Catharine, feeling that time was flying, and
giving way to her anger; "you can give some answer."

"I cannot answer suppositions, madame; a positive resolution is so
difficult and so grave a thing to assume that I must wait for facts."

"Listen, monsieur," said Catharine; "there is no time to lose, and we
are wasting it in vain discussion, in toying with words. Let us play our
role of king and queen. If you accept the regency you are a dead man."

"The King lives," thought Henry.

Then aloud:

"Madame," said he, firmly, "God holds the lives of men and of kings in
his hands. He will inspire me. Let his Majesty be informed that I am
ready to see him."

"Reflect, monsieur."

"During the two years in which I have been persecuted, during the month
I have been a prisoner," replied Henry, bravely, "I have had time to
reflect, madame, and I have reflected. Have the goodness, therefore, to
go to the King before me, and to tell him that I am following you. These
two guards," added Henry, pointing to the soldiers, "will see that I do
not escape. Moreover, that is not my intention."

There was such firmness in Henry's tone that Catharine saw that all her
attempts, under whatever disguise, would not succeed. Therefore she
hastily descended.

As soon as she had disappeared Henry went to the parapet and made a sign
to De Mouy, which meant: "Draw near and be ready in case of necessity."

De Mouy, who had dismounted, sprang into the saddle, and still leading
the second horse galloped to within musket-shot of the prison.

Henry thanked him by a gesture, and descended.

On the first landing he found the two soldiers who were waiting for him.

A double troop of Swiss and light-horse guarded the entrance to the
court, and to enter or leave the chateau it was necessary to traverse a
double line of halberds.

Catharine had stopped and was waiting for him.

She signed to the two soldiers to go on, and laying her hand on Henry's
arm, said:

"This court has two gates. At one, behind the apartments of the King, if
you refuse the regen