gan to hum and haw, and Diane gave me a
look from those blue-black eyes of hers. It is wonderful how their
expression can change. They seemed to grow small, with a hard,
pitiless look in them, and little cobwebs of wrinkles gathered near her
temples.

"'It would be madness!--folly!' And her foot kept tapping the carpet.

"'Caraffa and Lorraine are right; it would be a sin.' And the King
crossed himself. 'No, no! I will purge the land of its heresy. You
have proved their disloyalty to me, Diane. Scarce three weeks have
passed since the edicts were suspended, and see what head these
Huguenots make! But I will let them see that I am King!'

"And Diane bent forward and kissed his cheek.

"As for me, I knew I was treading on dangerous ground, and so, for the
present, went warily, and kept silence. And then La Valentinois knelt
by the side of the King, holding his hand in hers, and looking into his
eyes.

"'Sire,' she said, 'I have a boon to ask.'

"'Ask, then.' And Henri pushed aside the curls from her forehead.

"'It is that you reward the faithful whilst you punish the guilty.'

"'Let it be as you wish, _ma petite_.'

"'Then sign this, sire.' And, rising to her feet, she took a paper
from her dress and held it before the King, standing beside him, with
one white arm round his neck.

"Henri read, and his face fell a little. 'So,' he said, 'you want the
goods of all heretics condemned in Paris granted to our most faithful
subjects--Diane, Duchess de Valentinois; Simon, Vidame d'Orrain; and
Antoine, Sire de Mouchy, Inquisitor of Faith! Madame, this is a matter
for the council.' And, in his weak way, the King tried to put off the
matter.

"Diane removed her arm from his neck. 'As you please, sire,' she said
coldly; and then: 'But remember the Chatillons are making head in the
north, and tomorrow they may break the peace with Spain. Remember how
full Paris is of these traitors to their King and Holy Church! Never
mind my request; but, sire,' and her voice sank to the tenderest note,
'think of those who love you and fear for you--and--let the council
to-day be firm.'

"'Oh, it will be that. I will see to that.'

"'Thank Heaven! And now, my King, my King! for the last time!' And
she knelt and kissed his hand, and there were tears--tears, Orrain!--in
her eyes.

"Henri was much moved. 'What does this mean, Diane?' And he raised
her gently to her feet.

"'It means, sire'--her eyes refused t