end must
have ten crowns of gold, must he not, Rene? for such a prophecy is very
ambitious, especially in times like these. Well, Rene, as I am not rich,
I will give your friend five now and five more when the prophecy is
fulfilled."

"Sire," said Madame de Sauve, "do not forget that you are already
pledged to Dariole, and do not overburden yourself with promises."

"Madame," said Henry, "I hope when this time comes that I shall be
treated as a king, and that they will be satisfied if I keep half of my
promises."

"Sire," said Rene, "I will continue."

"Oh, that is not all, then?" said Henry. "Well, if I am emperor, I will
give twice as much."

"Sire, my friend has returned from Florence with the horoscope, which he
renewed in Paris, and which always gives the same result; and he told me
a secret."

"A secret of interest to his majesty?" asked Charlotte, quickly.

"I think so," said the Florentine.

"He is searching for words," thought Henry, without in any way coming to
Rene's rescue. "Apparently the thing is difficult to tell."

"Speak, then," went on the Baroness de Sauve; "what is it about?"

"It is about all the rumors of poisoning," said the Florentine, weighing
each of his words separately, "it is about all the rumors of poisoning
which for some time have been circulated around court." A slight
movement of the nostrils of the King of Navarre was the only indication
of his increased attention at the sudden turn in the conversation.

"And your friend the Florentine," said Henry, "knows something about
this poisoning?"

"Yes, sire."

"How can you tell me a secret which is not yours, Rene, especially when
the secret is such an important one?" said Henry, in the most natural
tone he could assume.

"This friend has some advice to ask of your majesty."

"Of me?"

"What is there surprising in that, sire? Remember the old soldier of
Actium who, having a law-suit on hand, asked advice of Augustus."

"Augustus was a lawyer, Rene, and I am not."

"Sire, when my friend confided this secret to me, your majesty still
belonged to the Calvinist party, of which you were the chief head, and
of which Monsieur de Conde was the second."

"Well?" said Henry.

"This friend hoped that you would use your all-powerful influence over
Monsieur de Conde and beg him not to be hostile to him."

"Explain this to me, Rene, if you wish me to understand it," said Henry,
without betraying the least change in his face or v