e Guise. I am sorry for
it, for that is the last place where they would look for a Huguenot."

"Oh, no, your Huguenot shall come; I will have him brought this evening:
one shall sleep in the right-hand corner of the closet and the other in
the left."

"But when they recognize each other as Protestant and Catholic they will
fight."

"Oh, there is no danger. Monsieur de Coconnas has had a cut down the
face that prevents him from seeing very well; your Huguenot is wounded
in the chest so that he can't move; and, besides, you have only to tell
him to be silent on the subject of religion, and all will go well."

"So be it."

"It's a bargain; and now let us go in."

"Thanks," said Marguerite, pressing her friend's hand.

"Here, madame," said the duchess, "you are again 'your majesty;' suffer
me, then, to do the honors of the Hotel de Guise fittingly for the Queen
of Navarre."

And the duchess, alighting from the litter, almost knelt on the ground
in helping Marguerite to step down; then pointing to the palace door
guarded by two sentinels, arquebuse in hand, she followed the queen at a
respectful distance, and this humble attitude she maintained as long as
she was in sight.

As soon as she reached her room, the duchess closed the door, and,
calling to her waiting-woman, a thorough Sicilian, said to her in
Italian,

"Mica, how is Monsieur le Comte?"

"Better and better," replied she.

"What is he doing?"

"At this moment, madame, he is taking some refreshment."

"It is always a good sign," said Marguerite, "when the appetite
returns."

"Ah, that is true. I forgot you were a pupil of Ambroise Pare. Leave us,
Mica."

"Why do you send her away?"

"That she may be on the watch."

Mica left the room.

"Now," said the duchess, "will you go in to see him, or shall I send for
him here?"

"Neither the one nor the other. I wish to see him without his seeing
me."

"What matters it? You have your mask."

"He may recognize me by my hair, my hands, a jewel."

"How cautious she is since she has been married, my pretty queen!"

Marguerite smiled.

"Well," continued the duchess, "I see only one way."

"What is that?"

"To look through the keyhole."

"Very well! take me to the door."

The duchess took Marguerite by the hand and led her to a door covered
with tapestry; then bending one knee, she applied her eye to the
keyhole.

"'Tis all right; he is sitting at table, with his face turned toward us;
c