lip till her white teeth left a vivid mark on it as I
spoke, and then with an outbreak of wolfish fury:

"I will not! I will not!" And she stamped her foot. "She shall
die--whatever happens--do you hear?"

"Perfectly! And in half an hour, I promise you, you will be arrested,
and the story of your shame known to all. Do you think women like you
have an empire that lasts for ever? You should take a lesson from the
past, madame. Once the King's eyes are opened, and they will be in
twelve hours, you will stand alone. But you have made your choice, and
I will take your answer to the Queen."

With that I bowed, and made for the door. Ere I had gone half the
length of the room, however, she called me back.

"Stay!"

I turned slowly, and faced her once more.

"Is it any use? You have answered me."

"No; I have not." Her voice was half strangled, and there were tears
of anger and mortification in her eyes. "No; I have not," she
repeated; and then gasped out: "I will do what you wish; but I want
those letters back."

"That rests with the Queen. She makes no terms with you, and in that
you must throw yourself on her pity."

With a low cry she suddenly flung herself down on the cushions, biting
at them in impotent fury with her strong white teeth and tearing at the
embroidery with her fingers. It was the fury of despair. It was the
senseless rage of an animal, and I stood and watched, feeling that a
desperate game was won, and almost pitying her, murderess, and worse,
though she was.

After a while she looked up at me, her face haggard, her eyes livid.

"Have you no pity?" she moaned. "Are you made of steel?"

"Come, madame! I await your answer, and time presses."

She gave me a deadly glance, and rose slowly, clasping and unclasping
he hands convulsively. At last she said:

"Very well. You shall have the pardon."

"In that case, madame, I am to say that your papers will be returned to
you."

"Enough!" And with another burst of anger: "And now go--begone!"

"A moment!" And stepping towards the gong I struck it lightly with the
hammer. Almost on the stroke the door opened, and Crequy appeared, his
eyes staring with astonishment as he glanced from the one to the other
of us.

"Monsieur de Crequy," I said, "madame has received ill news, and it is
necessary for her to see the King at once. Madame will start for
Fontainebleau in an hour--that will suit you, madame?" And I turned to
La Val