r Majesty to place the crown on a head that is dear to
you."

"To me!" said Charles; "on a head that is dear to me! The devil! what
head do you mean, monsieur? I do not understand."

"On the head of Monsieur le Duc d'Alencon."

Catharine became as pale as death, and gave De Mouy a flashing glance.

"Did my brother D'Alencon know this?"

"Yes, sire."

"And did he accept the crown?"

"Subject to the consent of your Majesty, to whom he referred us."

"Ah!" said Charles, "it is a crown which would suit our brother
D'Alencon wonderfully well. And I never thought of it! Thanks, De Mouy,
thanks! When you have such ideas you will always be welcome at the
Louvre."

"Sire, you would long since have been informed of this project had it
not been for that unfortunate affair of Maurevel's, which made me afraid
I had fallen into disgrace with your Majesty."

"Yes, but what did Henry say to this plan?" asked Catharine.

"The King of Navarre, madame, yielded to the desire of his brethren, and
his renunciation was ready."

"In that case," said Catharine, "you must have the renunciation."

"It happens that I have it with me, madame, signed by him and dated."

"Dated previous to the affair in the Louvre?" said Catharine.

"Yes, the evening before, I think."

De Mouy drew from his pocket an abdication in favor of the Duc
d'Alencon, written and signed in Henry's hand, and bearing the date
indicated.

"Faith, yes," said Charles, "and all is in due form."

"What did Henry demand in return for this renunciation?"

"Nothing, madame; the friendship of King Charles, he told us, would
amply repay him for the loss of a crown."

Catharine bit her lips in anger and wrung her beautiful hands.

"All this is perfectly correct, De Mouy," said the King.

"Then," said the queen mother, "if everything was settled between you
and the King of Navarre, what was the object of your interview with him
this evening?"

"I, madame! with the King of Navarre?" said De Mouy. "Monsieur de
Nancey, who arrested me, will bear witness that I was alone. Your
majesty can ask him."

"Monsieur de Nancey!" called the King.

The captain of the guards entered.

"Monsieur de Nancey," said Catharine, quickly, "was Monsieur de Mouy
entirely alone at the inn of the _Belle Etoile_?"

"In the room, yes, madame; in the hostelry, no."

"Ah!" said Catharine, "who was his companion?"

"I do not know if he was the companion of Monsieur de Mouy, madame, but