"Madame," said M. de Nancey," according to your majesty's orders, the horse has been duly prepared.”

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Ah, indeed!" said Catherine. "But we shall not need the horse you have prepared. Upon questioning the youth, I find he is not sufficiently intelligent to be entrusted with the message I designed to send by him. I have therefore made him a little present, and dismissed him by the small side-wicket."

"But," persisted M. de Nancey, "your majesty's commission?"

"What commission?" asked Catherine.

"That which your majesty proposed accomplishing by means of this youth: will it please you that I go myself, or send one of my men to do your royal command?"

"No!" said Catherine; "both you and your men, M. de Nancey, will have other work this evening.

And Catherine returned to her apartments, in full hope and expectation of holding the detested king of Navarre in her power ere the morrow's sun had risen.

Two hours after the event we have described, madame de Sauve having completed her attendance on the queen, entered her apartments; Henry followed her; and Dariole having informed him that Orthon had been, he went to the glass, and took the billet.

It was, as we have seen, couched in these terms:

"This evening at ten o'clock, Rue de l'Arbre-Sec, Hotel ae la Belle Etoile. Should you come, no reply is requisite; if otherwise, send word back No, by the bearer.

"DE MOUY DE SAINT-PHALE."

There was no address upon it.

"Henry is certain to go," had thought Catherine; "for even did he not wish it, he cannot find the bearer to tell him so." Catherine was right: Henry inquired after Orthon, Dariole

told him he nad gone out with the queen-mother; but Henry felt no uneasiness, as he knew Orthon was incapable of betraying him.

He dined, as he was accustomed, at the king's table, who rallied him upon the mistakes he had made that morning in hawking. Henry excused himself, alleging he dwelt on the mountains, and not in the plains; but he promised Charles to learn the noble art better.

Catherine was in an excellent humour; and when she rose from table, requested Marguerite to pass the evening with her.

At eight o'clock, Henry took two of his gentlemen, went out by the Porte St.-Honoré, entered again by the Tour de Bois, crossed the Seine at the ferry of the Nesle, mounted the Rue Saint-Jacques, and there dismissed them, as if he were going to an amorous rendezvous. At the corner of the Rue des Mathurins he found a man on horseback, wrapped in a large cloak: he approached him.

"Mantes!" said the man. "Pau!" replied the king.

Henry wrapped

The horseman instantly dismounted. himself in his splashed mantle, sprang on his steed, rode down the Rue de la Harpe, crossed the Pont St.-Michel, passed the Rue Barthelemy, crossed the river again on the Pont au Meunier, descended the quays, reached the Rue de l'Arbre-Sec, and knocked at maître la Hurière's.

La Mole was in a little chamber, writing a long love-letter; to whom may be easily imagined.

Coconnas was in the kitchen, watching half-a-dozen partridges roasting, and disputing with la Hurière as to whether they were done or not.

At this moment Henry knocked, Gregoire went to take his horse, and the traveller entered, stamping on the floor as if to warm his feet.

"Eh!" said la Mole, continuing to write "la Hurière, here is a gentleman wants you."

La Hurière advanced, and looked at Henry; and as his large cloak did not inspire him with very great veneration— "Who are you?" asked he.

"Eh, sang Dieu!" returned Henry, pointing to la Mole. "I am, as the gentleman told you, a Gascon gentleman come to court."

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"I do not let a room to any one, unless he have a lacquey.” Oh, but I will pay you a rose noble for your room and supper."

"You are very generous, worthy sir," said la Hurière, with some distrust.

"No; but expecting to sup here, I invited a friend of mine to meet me. Have you any good wine of Artois?"

"I have as good as Henry of Navarre drinks.”

"Ah, good! Here is my friend."

As he spoke, the door opened, and a gentleman somewhat older than the first, and having a long rapier at his side, entered.

"Ah, ah,” said he, "you are exact, my young friend. It is something for a man who has travelled two hundred leagues to be so punctual."

"Is this your guest?" asked la Hurière.

"Yes," replied the first, shaking hands with the young man with the rapier.

"Maître," said la Mole to la Hurière, “free us from these huguenot fellows; Coconnas and I cannot converse together whilst they are there."

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Carry the supper into No. 2, on the third floor," said la Hurière. "Up stairs, gentlemen."

The two travellers followed Gregoire, who lighted them. Coconnas watched them until they disappeared, and then came close to la Mole.

"Did you see them?"

"Ay, truly."

"And who are they?"

"How should I know?"

"I'd swear they are Henry of Navarre, and the man in the scarlet mantle."

"Ay, perhaps so."

"Well, you may rely on it, there is some plot going on." "Oh, no; some love intrigue."

"Bah! no such thing. However, I do not belong to the duke d'Alençon now-so I care not. Let's go to supper. Meantime Henry and de Mouy were installed in their chamber.

"Well, sire,' said de Mouy, "have you seen Orthon?” "No; but I found his billet. I suppose he was frightened, for the queen saw him. I had some fear about him; for Dariole told me the queen had a long conversation with him.” "Oh, there is no danger; he is very quick-witted. I will venture to say the queen did not learn much from him.” "Have you seen him yourself?"

"No; but he will come this evening to fetch me, armed with a good petronel; and he can tell us what passed as we walk along."

"That is right;-besides, la Mole is on the watch down stairs, and should anything occur, he will give us notice.” "Well! what says M. d'Alençon?"

"He will not go; he says so distinctly. The departure of d'Anjou, and the king's illness, have made him alter his mind." "It is he who has spoilt our plan?"

"Yes."

"It was he betrayed us?"

"No; but he is ready to do so on the first opportunity." "Coward! traitor!-why did he not answer my letters?' "In order to have proofs against you, and that you should have none against him. Meantime, all is then lost; is it not so, de Mouy?"

"On the contrary, won: you know all the party, except de Condé's fraction, were for you, and only used d'Alençon as a safeguard. Since the day of the ceremony I have arranged everything. I shall have fifteen hundred horse ready in a week; they will be posted on the road to Pau; they will surely suffice?"

Henry smiled, and laid his hand on his friend's shoulder "De Mouy," said he, " you, and you alone, know the king of Navarre is not such a coward as men think."

"I know it, sire; and I trust ere long all France will know it too. When do you hunt again?"

"In a week or ten days."

"Well, everything seems quiet now. No one thinks of the duke d'Anjou; the king gets better every day; the persecution against us has ceased. Play the amiable with the queenmother and M. d'Alençon; tell the duke you cannot go without him, and try and make him believe you."

<< Oh, he shall believe me!"

"Has he such confidence in you?"
"Not in me, but in the queen.'
"And is the queen true to us?"

"I have ample proofs of it; besides she is ambitious.” "Well, three days before you hunt, tell me where it will be-at Bondy, at St. Germain's, or at Rambouillet.

When

you see la Mole, spur on-follow him; once out of the forest, they must have fleet steeds to overtake us."

Henry made the same grimace he made all his life at the same question.

"Not much," said he; "but I believe Margot has." "Well, bring all you can with you.

Orthon tells me he saw that scoundrel Maurevel, whom René has cured, walking about the arsenal."

"Ah, I understand."

"You will be king some day, and will avenge yourself as a king; I am a soldier, and avenge myself as one. When all my affairs are arranged, which will be in five or six days, I will walk round the arsenal myself, and after giving him two or three rapier thrusts, I shall quit Paris."

"Do as you will. Ah! what do you think of la Mole?" "A charming fellow-brave and faithful."

"And discreet; he must follow us, and then I must think of his reward."

As Henry pronounced these words, the door flew open, and la Mole rushed in.

"Quick! quick!" cried he, "the house is surrounded." "Surrounded!" said Henry, "by whom?"

"By the king's guards."

"Oh," said de Mouy, drawing two pistols from his belt, "battle then!"

"What can you do against fifty men?" said la Mole.

"He is right," said the king, "and if there were any means of retreat

"I know one," said la Mole, "if your majesty will follow

me."

"And de Mouy

"Can follow us; but you must be quick." Steps were heard on the stairs