cute,
without hatred as without love; ever ready to treat his friends like
enemies and his enemies like friends."

"And he is expecting you now, De Mouy?" said Henry.

"Yes, sire."

"Where?"

"In the apartment belonging to his two gentlemen."

"At what time?"

"Before midnight."

"It is not yet eleven o'clock," said Henry, "so you have lost no time;
now you may go, De Mouy."

"We have your word, monsieur?" said Marguerite.

"Come now, madame!" said Henry, with the confidence he knew so well how
to use with certain people and on certain occasions, "with Monsieur de
Mouy, such things are not even asked for."

"You are right, sire," replied the young man; "but I need your word, for
I shall have to tell the leaders that I have it. You are not a Catholic,
are you?"

Henry shrugged his shoulders.

"You do not renounce the kingdom of Navarre?"

"I renounce no kingdom, De Mouy, I merely reserve for myself the choice
of the best; that is, the one which shall best suit me and you."

"And if in the meantime your majesty should be arrested, you would
promise to reveal nothing even should they torture your royal majesty?"

"De Mouy, I swear that, before God."

"One further word, sire. How am I to see you in future?"

"After to-morrow you shall have a key to my room. You will come there,
De Mouy, as often as it may be necessary and when you please. It is for
the Duc d'Alencon to answer for your presence in the Louvre. In the
meantime, use the small stairway. I will show you the way. The queen
will have the cherry-colored cloak like yours come here--the one who was
in the antechamber just now. No one must notice any difference between
you, or know that there are two of you, De Mouy. Do you not agree with
me? And you, madame?" Henry looked at Marguerite and uttered the last
words with a smile.

"Yes," said she, without moving a feature; "for this Monsieur de la Mole
belongs to my brother, the duke."

"Well, madame, try to win him over to our side," said Henry, in perfect
seriousness. "Spare neither gold nor promises; I will put all my
treasures at his disposal."

"In that case," said Marguerite, with one of the smiles which belong
only to the women of Boccaccio, "since this is your wish, I will do my
best to second it."

"Very good, madame; and you, De Mouy, return to the duke, and make sure
of him."

CHAPTER XXVI.

MARGARITA.

During the conversation which we have just related, La Mole and C