stairway, before Marguerite saw that he was
not La Mole.

Thereupon the cry which the cautious Huguenot had feared escaped
Marguerite; but fortunately there was no further danger from it.

"Monsieur de Mouy!" cried she, stepping back.

"In person, madame, and I beg your majesty to leave me free to continue
my way without mentioning my presence in the Louvre to any one."

"Oh! Monsieur de Mouy!" reiterated Marguerite, "I was mistaken, then!"

"Yes," said De Mouy, "I understand. Your majesty mistook me for the King
of Navarre. I am the same height, I wear the same white plume, and many,
no doubt in order to flatter me, say I have the same gait."

Marguerite looked closely at De Mouy.

"Do you understand Latin, Monsieur de Mouy?" she asked.

"I used to know it," replied the young man, "but I have forgotten it."

Marguerite smiled.

"Monsieur de Mouy," said she, "you may rely on my discretion. But as I
think I know the name of the one you are seeking in the Louvre, I will
offer my services to guide you directly to him."

"Excuse me, madame," said De Mouy, "I think you are mistaken, and that
you are completely ignorant of"--

"What!" exclaimed Marguerite, "are you not looking for the King of
Navarre?"

"Alas, madame," said De Mouy, "I regret to have to beg you especially to
conceal my presence in the Louvre from your husband, his majesty the
king."

"Listen, Monsieur de Mouy," said Marguerite in surprise, "I have
considered you until now one of the strongest leaders of the Huguenot
party, and one of the most faithful partisans of the king my husband. Am
I mistaken?"

"No, madame, for this very morning I was all that you say."

"And what has changed you since this morning?"

"Madame," said De Mouy, bowing, "kindly excuse me from answering, and do
me the favor to accept my homage."

De Mouy, respectful but firm, started towards the door.

Marguerite stopped him.

"But, monsieur," said she, "if I were to ask you for a word of
explanation, my word is good, it seems to me?"

"Madame," replied De Mouy, "I am obliged to keep silent, and this duty
must be very imperative for me not to have answered your majesty."

"But, monsieur"--

"Your majesty may ruin me, madame, but you cannot ask me to betray my
new friends."

"But the old ones, monsieur, have they too not some rights?"

"Those who have remained true, yes; those who not only have abandoned
us, but themselves as well, no."

Marguerite, thought