step, "will your Majesty permit me?"

"Yes," said the King, and he extended his hand to the young Huguenot.

De Mouy knelt and kissed the King's hand.

"By the way," said Charles, detaining him as he was about to rise, "did
you not demand from me justice on that scoundrel of a Maurevel?"

"Yes, sire."

"I do not know where he is, as he is hiding; but if you meet him, take
justice into your own hands. I authorize you to do this and gladly."

"Ah! sire," cried De Mouy, "your Majesty overwhelms me. Your Majesty may
rely on me. I have no idea where he is, but I will find him, you may
rest assured."

De Mouy respectfully saluted King Charles and Queen Catharine, and
withdrew without hindrance from the guards who had brought him thither.
He passed rapidly through the corridors, reached the gate, and once
outside hurried to Place Saint Germain l'Auxerrois, to the inn of the
_Belle Etoile_. Here he found his horse, thanks to which, three hours
after the scene we have just described, the young man breathed in safety
behind the walls of Mantes.

Catharine, consumed with rage, returned to her apartments, whence she
passed into those of Marguerite.

She found Henry there in his dressing-gown, apparently ready for bed.

"Satan!" she murmured, "aid a poor queen for whom God will do nothing
more!"

CHAPTER XLVIII.

TWO HEADS FOR ONE CROWN.

"Ask Monsieur d'Alencon to come to me," said Charles as he dismissed his
mother.

Monsieur de Nancey, in accordance with the remark of the King that
henceforth he was to obey him alone, hastened to the duke's apartments
and delivered word for word the order he had just received.

The Duc d'Alencon gave a start. He had always feared Charles, and now
more than ever since by conspiring he had reason to be afraid.

Nevertheless, he went to his brother in all haste.

Charles was standing up, whistling a hunting-song.

As he entered, the Duc d'Alencon caught from the glassy eye of the King
one of those bitter looks of hatred which he knew so well.

"Your Majesty has sent for me," said he. "Here I am; what does your
Majesty desire?"

"I desire to tell you, my good brother, that as a reward for the great
friendship you bear me I have decided to-day to do for you the thing you
most want."

"For me?"

"Yes, for you. Think what for some time you have been dreaming of,
without daring to ask it of me, and I will give it to you."

"Sire," said Francois, "I swear to you that