rn to this in a few moments. As to my good or evil
intentions regarding you, I have come to you on purpose that you may
judge them."

"Very good!" said D'Alencon with his customary reserve. "Speak, Henry, I
am listening."

"When I have spoken, Francois, you will readily see what my intentions
are, for the confidence I am going to place in you does away with all
reserve and prudence. And when I have told you, you will be able to ruin
me by a single word!"

"What is it?" said Francois, beginning to be anxious.

"And yet," continued Henry, "I have hesitated a long time to speak to
you of the thing which brings me here, especially after the way in which
you turned a deaf ear to-day."

"Really," said Francois, growing pale, "I do not know what you mean,
Henry."

"Brother, your interests are too dear to me not to tell you that the
Huguenots have made advances to me."

"Advances!" said D'Alencon. "What advances?"

"One of them, Monsieur de Mouy of Saint Phal, the son of the brave De
Mouy, assassinated by Maurevel, you know"--

"Yes."

"Well, he came at the risk of his life to show me that I was in
captivity."

"Ah! indeed! and what did you say to him?"

"Brother, you know that I love Charles dearly. He has saved my life,
and the queen mother has been like a real mother to me. So I refused all
the offers he made me."

"What were these offers?"

"The Huguenots want to reconstruct the throne of Navarre, and as in
reality this throne belongs to me by inheritance, they offered it to
me."

"Yes; and Monsieur de Mouy, instead of the consent he expected to ask
for, has received your relinquishment?"

"My formal relinquishment--even in writing. But since," continued Henry.

"You have repented, brother?" interrupted D'Alencon.

"No, I merely thought I noticed that Monsieur de Mouy had become
discontented with me, and was paying his visits elsewhere."

"Where?" asked Francois quickly.

"I do not know. At the Prince of Conde's perhaps."

"Yes, that might be," said the duke.

"Besides," went on Henry, "I have positive knowledge as to the leader he
has chosen."

Francois grew pale.

"But," continued Henry, "the Huguenots are divided among themselves, and
De Mouy, brave and loyal as he is, represents only one-half of the
party. Now this other half, which is not to be scorned, has not given up
the hope of having Henry of Navarre on the throne, who having hesitated
at first may have reflected since."

"You t