by appearing to presume on his
good-nature, but even the lightest and liveliest of them felt that there
was a point beyond which he must not venture to presume. Chavernay felt
instinctively that he had reached that point now, and his manner was a
pattern to presentable courtiers.

"Yes, your majesty," he said, and turned to Bonnivet, and Bonnivet and he
went over the bridge and out of sight among a little clump of trees on
the roadside. From here they could see the king plainly enough, and hear
him if he chose to raise his voice loud enough to call them, but here
they were out of ear-shot of any private conversation. That their
presence in the neighborhood was scarcely necessary they were both well
aware, for there were few conspiracies against the king's authority and
no plots against the king's life, and if Louis of France had chosen to go
unattended his pompous, melancholy person would have been in no danger.

Louis walked slowly to the little table in the arbor, and, seating
himself, took out a letter from his pocket and read it thoughtfully over.
Then he drew a watch looped in diamonds from his pocket and looked at the
hour. As he did so the huddled, seeming sleeping figure on the bench
stiffened itself, sat up erect, and cast off its cloak.

Lagardere rose and advanced towards the king. "I am here," he said, in a
firm, respectful voice.

Louis turned round and looked with curiosity but without apprehension at
the man who addressed him, the man who was dressed like a gypsy, but who
clearly was no gypsy. "Are you the writer of this letter?" he asked.

Lagardere saluted him with a graceful reverence. "Yes, your Majesty. I
know that you are the King of France."

Louis slightly inclined his head. "I could not refuse a summons that
promised to tell me of Louis de Nevers. Are you Lagardere?"

Lagardere made a gesture as of protest. "I am his ambassador. Have I the
privilege of an ambassador?"

The king frowned slightly. "What privilege?"

"Immunity if my mission displeases you," Lagardere answered.

The king looked steadily at the seeming gypsy, who returned his glance as
steadily. "You are bold, sir," he said.

Lagardere answered him, with composure. "I am bold because I address
Louis of France, who never broke his word--Louis of France, who still
holds dear the memory of Louis of Nevers."

The king signed to him to continue. "Speak freely. What do you know of
Louis of Nevers?"

Lagardere went on: "Lagar