ust so, madame," said Henry, with great coolness, while the Duc
d'Alencon turned white from distress.

Henry stepped back to leave Catharine free to speak with her son.

The queen mother drew a magnificent jewel from her bag.

"This clasp comes from Florence," said she. "I will give it to you for
the belt of your sword."

Then in a low tone:

"If to-night you hear any noise in your good brother Henry's room, do
not stir."

Francois pressed his mother's hand, and said:

"Will you allow me to show Henry the beautiful gift you have just given
me?"

"You may do more. Give it to him in your name and in mine, for I have
ordered a second one just like it."

"You hear, Henry," said Francois, "my good mother brings me this jewel
and doubles its value by allowing me to give it to you."

Henry went into ecstasies over the beauty of the clasp, and was
enthusiastic in his thanks. When his delight had grown calmer:

"My son," said Catharine, "I feel somewhat indisposed and I am going to
bed; your brother Charles is greatly wearied from his fall and is going
to do the same. So we shall not have supper together this evening, but
each will be served in his own room. Oh, Henry, I forgot to congratulate
you on your bravery and quickness. You saved your king and your brother,
and you shall be rewarded for it."

"I am already rewarded, madame," replied Henry, bowing.

"By the feeling that you have done your duty?" replied Catharine. "That
is not enough, and Charles and I will do something to pay the debt we
owe you."

"Everything that comes to me from you and my good brother will be
welcome, madame."

Then he bowed and withdrew.

"Ah! brother Francois!" thought Henry as he left, "I am sure now of not
leaving alone, and the conspiracy which had a body has found a head and
a heart. Only let us look out for ourselves. Catharine gives me a
present, Catharine promises me a reward. There is some deviltry beneath
it all. I must confer this evening with Marguerite."

CHAPTER XXXIII.

THE GRATITUDE OF KING CHARLES IX.

Maurevel had spent a part of the day in the King's armory; but when it
was time for the hunters to return from the chase Catharine sent him
into her oratory with the guards who had joined him.

Charles IX., informed by his nurse on his arrival that a man had spent
part of the day in his room, was at first very angry that a stranger had
been admitted into his apartments. But his nurse described the man