hink this?"

"Oh, every day I receive proofs of it. The troops which joined us at the
hunt, did you notice of what men it was composed?"

"Yes, of converted gentlemen."

"Did you recognize the leader of the troop who signed to me?"

"Yes, it was the Vicomte de Turenne."

"Did you know what they wanted of me?"

"Yes, they proposed to you to escape."

"Then," said Henry to Francois, who was growing restless, "there is
evidently a second party which wants something else besides what
Monsieur de Mouy wants."

"A second party?"

"Yes, and a very powerful one, I tell you, so that in order to succeed
it is necessary to unite the two--Turenne and De Mouy. The conspiracy
progresses, the troops are ready, the signal alone is waited for. Now in
this supreme situation, which demands prompt solution on my part, I have
come to two decisions between which I am wavering. I have come to submit
these decisions to you as to a friend."

"Say rather as to a brother."

"Yes, as to a brother," went on Henry.

"Speak, then, I am listening."

"In the first place I ought to explain to you the condition of my mind,
my dear Francois. No desire, no ambition, no ability. I am an honest
country gentleman, poor, sensual, and timid. The career of conspirator
offers me indignities poorly compensated for even by the certain
prospect of a crown."

"Ah, brother," said Francois, "you do wrong. Sad indeed is the position
of a prince whose fortune is limited by the boundary of the paternal
estate or by a man in a career for honors! I do not believe, therefore,
in what you tell me."

"And yet what I tell you is so true, brother, that if I thought I had a
true friend, I would resign in his favor the power which this party
wishes to give me; but," he added with a sigh, "I have none."

"Perhaps you have. You probably are mistaken."

"No, _ventre saint gris_!" said Henry, "except yourself, brother, I see
no one who is attached to me; so that rather than let fail an attempt
which might bring to light some unworthy man, I truly prefer to inform
my brother the King of what is taking place. I will mention no names, I
will designate neither country nor date, but I will foretell the
catastrophe."

"Great God!" exclaimed D'Alencon unable to repress his terror, "what do
you mean? What! you, you, the sole hope of the party since the death of
the admiral; you, a converted Huguenot, a poor convert, or at least such
you were thought to be, you would ra