And I
saw in a flash what it would be to remain here, or in some such place;
never to cross horse again, or breathe the free air of Heaven, never
to hear the clink of sword against stirrup, or the rich tones of M.
d'Agen's voice calling for his friend!

I expected M. de Turenne to go when I had made my answer, or else to
fall into such a rage as opposition is apt to cause in those who seldom
encounter it. To my surprise, however, he restrained himself. 'Come,' he
said, with patience which fairly astonished me, and so much the more
as chagrin was clearly marked in his voice, 'I know where you put your
trust. You think the King of Navarre will protect you. Well, I pledge
you the honour of Turenne that he will not; that the King of Navarre
will do nothing to save you. Now, what do you say?'

'As I said before,' I answered doggedly.

He took up the parchment from the table with a grim laugh. 'So much
the worse for you then!' he said, shrugging his shoulders. 'So much the
worse for you! I took you for a rogue! It seems you are a fool!'

CHAPTER XXXVI. 'VIVE LE ROI!'

He took his leave with those words. But his departure, which I
should have hailed a few minutes before with joy, as a relief from
embarrassment and humiliation, found me indifferent. The statement to
which he had solemnly pledged himself in regard to the King of Navarre,
that I could expect no further help from him, had prostrated me; dashing
my hopes and spirits so completely that I remained rooted to the spot
long after his step had ceased to sound on the stairs. If what he said
was true, in the gloom which darkened alike my room and my prospects
I could descry no glimmer of light. I knew His Majesty's weakness and
vacillation too well to repose any confidence in him; if the King
of Navarre also abandoned me, I was indeed without hope, as without
resource.

I had stood some time with my mind painfully employed upon this problem,
which my knowledge of M. de Turenne's strict honour in private matters
did not allow me to dismiss lightly, when I heard another step on the
stairs, and in a moment M. la Varenne opened the door. Finding me in the
dark he muttered an apology for the remissness of the servants; which I
accepted, seeing nothing else for it, in good part.

'We have been at sixes-and-sevens all day, and you have been forgotten,'
he continued. 'But you will have no reason to complain now. I am ordered
to conduct you to His Majesty without delay.