st wearied of us three."

Henry had shrewd sense and a quick perception of things; friends and
enemies subsequently found fault with him for possessing too much of
both. He fully admitted that she who thus banished him from the nuptial
bed was well justified in so doing by the indifference he had himself
manifested toward her; and then, too, she had just repaid this
indifference by saving his life; he therefore allowed no self-love to
dictate his answer.

"Madame," said he, "if Monsieur de la Mole were able to come to my
quarters I would give him my own bed."

"Yes," replied Marguerite, "but your quarters just at the present time
would not be safe for either of you, and prudence dictates that your
majesty should remain here until morning."

Then without awaiting the king's reply she summoned Gillonne, and bade
her prepare the necessary cushions for the king, and to arrange a bed at
the king's feet for La Mole, who appeared so happy and contented with
the honor that one would have sworn he no longer felt his wounds.

Then Marguerite, courtesing low to the king, passed into her chamber,
the door of which was well furnished with bolts, and threw herself on
the bed.

"One thing is certain," said Marguerite to herself, "to-morrow Monsieur
de la Mole must have a protector at the Louvre; and he who, to-night,
sees and hears nothing, may change his mind to-morrow."

Then she called Gillonne, who was waiting to receive her last orders.

Gillonne came to her.

"Gillonne," said she in a whisper, "you must contrive to bring my
brother the Duc d'Alencon here to-morrow morning before eight o'clock."

It was just striking two at the Louvre.

La Mole for a few moments talked on political subjects with the king,
who gradually grew drowsy and was soon snoring.

La Mole might have slept as well as the king, but Marguerite was not
asleep; she kept turning from side to side in her bed, and the noise she
made disturbed the young man's ideas and sleep.

"He is very young," murmured Marguerite in her wakeful mood, "he is very
timid; perhaps--but we must see--perhaps it will be ridiculous. Yet he
has handsome eyes--and a good figure, and he is very charming; but if he
should not turn out to be brave!--He ran away!--He is renouncing his
faith! It is too bad--the dream began well. However, let things take
their course and entrust them to that madcap Henriette's triple god."

And toward daybreak Marguerite fell asleep, murmuring: