ell, what do you
say to this offer, Monsieur de Mouy?"

"I say that it dazzles me, monseigneur."

"De Mouy, De Mouy, we shall have many obstacles to overcome. Do not,
therefore, from the first be so exacting and so obstinate towards the
son of a king and the brother of a king who comes to you."

"Monseigneur, the matter would be already settled if my opinion were
the only one to be considered, but we have a council, and brilliant as
the offer may be, perhaps even on that very account the leaders of the
party will not consent to the plan unconditionally."

"That is another thing, and your answer comes from an honest heart and a
prudent mind. From the way I have just acted, De Mouy, you must have
recognized my honesty. Treat me, therefore, on your part as a man who is
esteemed, not as a man who is flattered. De Mouy, have I any chance?"

"On my word, monseigneur, since your highness wants me to give my
opinion, your highness has every chance, since the King of Navarre has
refused the offer I have just made him. But I tell you again,
monseigneur, I shall have to confer with our leaders."

"Do so, monsieur," replied d'Alencon. "But when shall I have an answer?"

De Mouy looked at the prince in silence. Then apparently coming to a
decision:

"Monseigneur," said he, "give me your hand. I must have the hand of a
son of France touch mine to make sure that I shall not be betrayed."

The duke not only extended his hand towards De Mouy, but grasped De
Mouy's and pressed it.

"Now, monseigneur, I am satisfied," said the young Huguenot. "If we were
betrayed I should say that you had nothing to do with it; otherwise,
monseigneur, however slightly you might be concerned in the treason, you
would be dishonored."

"Why do you say that to me, De Mouy, before telling me that you will
bring me the answer from your leaders?"

"Because, monseigneur, asking me when you would have your answer was the
same as asking me where are the leaders, and because if I said to you,
'This evening,' you would know that the chiefs were hiding in Paris." As
he uttered these words, with a gesture of mistrust, De Mouy fixed his
piercing glance on the false vacillating eyes of the young man.

"Well, well," said the duke, "you still have doubts, Monsieur de Mouy.
But I cannot expect entire confidence from you at first. You will
understand me better later. We shall be bound by common interests which
will rid you of all suspicion. You say this evenin