st us last night, and who hurled the silver
bowl at my head, the wretch!"

"Oh, yes!" repeated Francois, "the wretch!"

"You are right, my children," said Catharine, without appearing to
understand the feelings which incited both of her sons to speak. "You
are right, for a single indiscreet act of this gentleman might cause a
horrible scandal, and ruin a daughter of France. One moment of madness
would be enough for that."

"Or of vanity," said Francois.

"No doubt, no doubt," said Charles. "And yet we cannot bring the case
into court unless Henriot consents to appear as plaintiff."

"My son," said Catharine, placing her hand on Charles's shoulder in such
a way as to call the King's attention to what she was about to propose,
"listen to what I say. A crime has been committed, and there may be
scandal. But this sort of offence to royalty is not punished by judges
and hangmen. If you were simple gentlemen, I should have nothing to say
to you, for you are both brave, but you are princes, you cannot cross
swords with mere country squires. Think how you can avenge yourselves as
princes."

"The devil!" cried Charles, "you are right, mother, and I will consider
it."

"I will help you, brother," cried Francois.

"And I," said Catharine, unfastening the black silk girdle which was
wound three times about her waist, and the two tassels of which fell to
her knees. "I will retire, but I leave you this to represent me."

And she threw the girdle at the feet of the two princes.

"Ah! ah!" said Charles, "I understand."

"This girdle"--said D'Alencon, picking it up.

"Is punishment and silence," said Catharine, victorious; "but," she
added, "there would be no harm in mentioning this to Henry."

She withdrew.

"By Heaven!" said D'Alencon; "a good idea, and when Henry knows that his
wife has betrayed him--So," he added, turning to the King, "you will
adopt our mother's suggestion?"

"In every detail," said Charles, not doubting but that he would drive a
thousand daggers into D'Alencon's heart. "This will annoy Marguerite,
but it will delight Henriot."

Then, calling one of his guards, he ordered Henry summoned, but thinking
better of it:

"No, no," said he, "I will go for him myself. Do you, D'Alencon, inform
D'Anjou and De Guise."

Leaving his apartments, he ascended the private stairway to the second
floor, which led to Henry's chamber.

CHAPTER XXXIX.

PROJECTS OF REVENGE.

Henry took advantage of t