Marguerite smiled.

"At all events, I hope it is M. de la Mole still?" said Henry.

"No, sire, it is M. de Mouy."

"De Mouy!" cried Henry, joyfully. "He is not, then, with the duke d'Alençon. Oh, let me speak to him."

Marguerite ran to the cabinet, and without further ceremony presented de Mouy to the king.

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"Ah, madame," said the young huguenot, reproachfully, 'you have not kept your promise. Suppose I were to revenge myself by saying"

"You will not avenge yourself, my dear de Mouy," said Henry, pressing his hand; "at least, not before you have heard me. Madame," continued he, "have the kindness to

see that no one overhears us."

Scarcely were these words uttered, when Gillonne entered all aghast, and said something to Marguerite that made her leave the room instantly. Meanwhile, not troubling himself as to the cause of her abrupt departure, Henry lifted the tapestry, sounded the walls, and looked into every recess. As for de Mouy, somewhat alarmed by these precautions, he loosened his sword in the scabbard.

Marguerite, on leaving her bedchamber, found herself in the presence of la Mole, who, in spite of Gillonne, was forcing his way in. Behind him stood Coconnas, ready to advance or retreat with him, as the case might be.

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Ah, it is you, M. de la Mole!" said the queen.

"What

is the matter with you? and what makes you look so pale?” Madame," said Gillonne, "M. de la Mole knocked so loud that, spite of your majesty's orders, I was forced to admit him."

"Ha!" said the queen, angrily. "Is this true, M. de la Mole?"

"Madame, I wished to inform your majesty that a stranger, a robber perhaps, had entered your apartments, wearing my mantle and hat."

"You are mad, sir," returned Marguerite; "for I see your mantle on your shoulders; and moreover, by my faith, I see your hat on your head, though you are speaking to a queen."

Р

ing.

"Forgive me, madame!" cried la Mole, hastily uncover-
"Heaven knows it is not want of respect-
"No, but want of faith," said the queen.

"Oh, madame," said la Mole, "when a man enters apartments in my dress, perchance under my name

"A man!" said Marguerite, pressing her lover's hand. "Very fine, M. de la Mole; look through that opening, and you will see two men."

And she gently raised the velvet curtains, and showed to de la Mole and Coconnas, who, moved with curiosity, came forward, Henry speaking to the cavalier in the cherrycoloured mantle, whom both at once recognised as de Mouy.

"Now that you are satisfied," said Marguerite, "place yourself at that door, and let no one enter; if any one even approaches, let me know."

La Mole, docile as an infant, obeyed, and both he and Coconnas found themselves outside the door, before they had well recovered from their amazement.

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"De Mouy!" cried Coconnas.

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Henry!" muttered la Mole.

"De Mouy with your cloak and hat."

"Zounds!" said la Mole, "this is some plot."

“Ah, here we are in politics again," grumbled Coconnas. Fortunately, I do not see madame de Nevers mixed up

the matter.

in

Marguerite returned to her bed-room; she had been absent scarcely a minute, but she had made good use of her time; Gillonne guarding the scret passage, and the two gentlemen outside the principal entrance, afforded full security.

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Madame," said Henry, "do you think it possible any one can overhear us?"

"Sire," returned Marguerite, "the walls are all doublepanelled, and lined between with mattresses."

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'Ay, ay, that will do," said Henry, smiling.

Then turning to de Mouy: "Now, then," said he, in a low tone, as, notwithstanding Marguerite's assurances, his fears were not dissipated, "what are you come here for?" "Here!" repeated de Mouy.

"Yes, here-to this chamber?"

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"He did not come for anything," said Marguerite; "it was I who brought him here."

"You knew then- ?"

"I guessed."

"You see, de Mouy, people can guess.'

"M. de Mouy," continued Marguerite, "was with duke François this morning in the chamber of one of his gentlemen."

"You see, de Mouy," repeated Henry, "we know all." "It is true," said de Mouy.

"I was sure," replied the king, "that d'Alençon had got hold of you."

"It is your fault, sire. Why did you refuse so obstinately what I offered."

"Ah, you refused!" said Margaret. "My presentiments, then, were real.”

"Madame," said Henry, "and you, my worthy de Mouy, you make me smile. What! a man comes to me, and talks to me of thrones and revolutions, and overthrowing statesto me, Henry, a prince tolerated only because I humble myself; a huguenot, spared only because I pretend to be a catholic; and thinks I am going to accept his propositions, made in a chamber without double paneis, and not lined with mattresses. You are children, or mad!"

"But, sire, your majesty might have given me some sign, to raise our hopes."

"What did my brother-in-law say to you, de Mouy?" asked Henry.

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Oh, sire, that is not my secret."

“Oh, mon Dieu!" said Henry, impatient at having to deal with a man who did not understand him. "I do not ask you what proposals he made you. I only asked you if he had listened, and if he had overheard?"

"He had listened, sire, and he had overheard."

He listened and overheard! you admit that, yourself. Poor conspirator that you are! Had I spoken a word, you had been undone; for, if I did not absolutely know he was there, I suspected as much; and if not he, some one else— d'Anjou, the king, or the queen-mother. The walls of the Louvre have good ears; and, knowing that, do you think I should speak? I wonder you offer a crown to the king of Navarre, when you give him credit for so little good sense."

"But, sire," said de Mouy, "had you made me a sign, I should not have lost all hope."

I could he not see also?

"Eh, ventre-saint-gris!" cried Henry. "If he listened, At this very instant I dread lest we may be overheard, when I say to you, de Mouy, repeat to me your proposals."

"Sire," said de Mouy, mournfully, "I am now engaged with M. d'Alençon."

Marguerite beat her fair hands together angrily.

"It is, then, too late," said she.

"On the contrary," said Henry, "the hand of Providence is visible in this; for the duke will save us all; he will be a buckler protecting us; whereas the name of the king of Navarre would involve you all, by degrees, in destruction. Get fast hold of him; secure proofs; but, silly politician that you are, you have doubtless engaged yourself already, without using any precautions."

'Sire," cried de Mouy, "despair made me join his party, and fear also, for he held our secret."

"Then hold his in your turn. What does he want? the kingdom of Navarre? Promise it him. To quit the court? Supply him with the means. When the time comes for us to fly, he and I will fly together: when it is time to reign, I will reign alone."

"Distrust the duke," said Marguerite; "he is alike incapable of hatred and friendship; ever ready to treat his enemies as friends, and his friends as enemies."

"He awaits you?" said Henry, without heeding his wife's remark.

"Yes, sire."

"At what hour?"

"Until midnight."

"It is not yet eleven," said Henry; "you are not too late, de Mouy."

"We have your word, sir," said Marguerite.

"Come, come," said Henry, with that air of confidence he 30 well knew how to show to certain persons and on certain occasions; "with M. de Mouy this is needless."

"You do me justice, sire," returned the young man. "But I must have your word, that I may tell our leaders that I have received it. You are not, then, a catholic?"

Henry shrugged his shoulders.

"You do not renounce the kingdom of Navarre?”

"I do not renounce any kingdom, only I would select that which suits you and me the best."

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And, in the meantime, were your majesty to be arrested, and they should dare so to violate the regal dignity as to torture you, will you swear to reveal nothing?"

"De Mouy, I swear it.” "One word, sire.

How shall I see you?"

"From to-morrow you will have a key of my chamber, and you can come in when you will. The duke must ex

plain your presence at the Louvre. I will now guide you up the private staircase; meantime, the queen will bring in here the other cherry mantle, who was just now in the antechamber. It must not be supposed you are double; eh, de Mouy? eh, madame?”

Henry laughed as he said this, and looked at Marguerite. "Yes," replied she, without any emotion; "for you know this M. de la Mole is one of the gentlemen of the duke d'Alençon."

"Try and get him to our side, then," said Henry, with entire gravity; "spare neither gold nor promises; I place all my treasures at his disposal."

"Well, then," said Marguerite, with one of those smiles that belong only to Boccaccio's heroines, "since such is your desire, I will do my best to promote it.'

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Very good, madame; and now to the duke, de Mouy, and hook him."

CHAPTER XXVI.

MARGUERITE.

DURING this conversation, la Mole and Coconnas remained on guard; the former marvellously vexed, and Coconnas somewhat uneasy; for la Mole had had time for reflection, and Coconnas had most liberally assisted him in it.

"What do you think of all this?" asked la Mole.