in the midst of politics," said Coconnas
grumbling. "Fortunately I do not see Madame de Nevers mixed up in it."

Marguerite returned and sat down by the two speakers. She had been gone
only a moment, but had made the most of her time. Gillonne, on guard in
the secret passage, and the two gentlemen on duty at the main entrance,
assured perfect safety for her.

"Madame," said Henry, "do you think it would be possible for us to be
overheard in any way?"

"Monsieur," said Marguerite, "the walls of this room are wadded, and a
double wainscoting deadens all sound."

"I depend on you," replied Henry smiling. Then turning to De Mouy:

"Now," said the king, in a low tone, as if in spite of the assurance of
Marguerite his fears were not wholly overcome, "what are you here for?"

"Here?" said De Mouy.

"Yes, here, in this room," repeated Henry.

"He had nothing to do here," said Marguerite; "I induced him to come."

"You?"

"I guessed everything."

"You see, De Mouy, we can discover what is going on."

"This morning," continued Marguerite, "Monsieur de Mouy was with Duc
Francois in the apartment of two of his gentlemen."

"You see, De Mouy," repeated Henry, "we know everything."

"That is true," said De Mouy.

"I was sure," said Henry, "that Monsieur d'Alencon had taken possession
of you."

"That is your fault, sire. Why did you so persistently refuse what I
offered you?"

"You refused!" exclaimed Marguerite. "The refusal I feared, then, was
real?"

"Madame," said Henry, shaking his head, "and you, my brave De Mouy,
really, you make me laugh with your exclamations. What! a man enters my
chamber, speaks to me of a throne, of a revolt, of a revolution, to me,
Henry, a prince tolerated provided that I eat humble pie, a Huguenot
spared on condition that I play the Catholic; and I am expected to
accept, when these propositions are made in a room without padding or
double wainscoting! _Ventre saint gris!_ You are either children or
fools!"

"But, sire, could not your majesty have left me some hope, if not by
word, at least by a gesture or sign?"

"What did my brother-in-law say to you, De Mouy?" asked Henry.

"Oh, sire, that is not my secret."

"Well, my God!" continued Henry, with a certain impatience at having to
deal with a man who so poorly understood his words. "I do not ask what
you proposed to him, I ask you merely if he listened to you, if he heard
you."

"He listened, sire, and he heard."

"He l