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"She laughed at my speech, and was about to reply, but stopped, for at that moment the curtain lifted, and the King entered the room. He seemed in the best of spirits; nothing affects him for long. "'Bon jour, Le Brusquet! He gave me his hand to kiss. 'What news have you brought me this morning? "'A bagful, sire, for I supped with Créquy over-night.
"It seems that to-night I must play the marionette to your pulling, Le Brusquet," I laughed as I made way for De Lorgnac; and for once the little man made no reply, but addressing Diane said: "The Queen has already returned, and you will find the salon full, mademoiselle; but before you go give me that hood; it might tell tales. I will see it safely returned."
Nevertheless, I thank you for the kind offer you have made." I delivered this speech with a respectful air, but yet in a tone that carried the conviction that my resolve was unchangeable. "As you will," said the Duke, with some coldness of manner. "A Bourbon does not offer twice. And so, farewell! I fear 'tis a long road and an ugly road we have yet to travel, thanks to my folly eh, Le Brusquet?"
Along these we hurried until we reached the stairway leading to the Philippine, and as we came up two figures stepped out of the shadow into our path. My charge shrank back with a little gasp of alarm, so sudden and unexpected was their appearance, and I half drew my poniard, but put it back again on the moment, for I recognised De Lorgnac and Le Brusquet.
Our party had gone a little ahead, and I did not overtake them until almost opposite the Cordeliers, where I joined De Lorgnac. "That was a strange-looking beggar," he remarked. "She was no beggar, De Lorgnac; but of her I will tell you when you, Le Brusquet, and I are once more together." "I shall try to wait until then; it will be in less than an hour."
This evening the Vidame broke up the heretic church in the Mathurins; nearly all the accursed brood were slain, women as well as men; but there are still enough prisoners to give us a rare bonfire by Saturday. Is it not so, monsieur?" And Le Brusquet turned to the Vidame. "Is this true, Le Brusquet?" It was Vendôme who asked. He too had risen, and his voice was trembling with anger.
"Oh! he was badly pinked; but his arm is out of its sling now. There is some devil's broth preparing, and he and Diane are the cooks. Le Brusquet, however, has sworn to put his ladle into it, and so we shall see things ere long." "Not I," I laughed. "I shall be in Italy with Montluc." "You may not," was the dry answer.
If not, you know now with whom your arm is linked." "By God!" Simon burst out, "if I did not remember where I was " "Tush!" I broke in, "there are a hundred other places where we can settle our differences. I have no time to be brawling here." With this I pushed past, and left them looking at each other as, followed by Le Brusquet, I gained the door to the Queen's apartment.
She has a last card." "I feel that. It is what I think." "If she plays on the King's madness for her she may win all, unless " And he put down his hand, and hesitated. "Unless what?" "The gossip is true that the King bitterly regrets the infamous grant he made to her, and would give his right hand to escape from his word." "Le Brusquet is certain of it.
"I too have some friends whom I must warn. Have no fear that Mademoiselle de Paradis will have any difficulty in keeping her tryst; I will see to that. Go now at once to the Rue Tire Boudin and make you ready; we will stand by you to the end." I thanked these brave friends, and was about to turn away, when Le Brusquet called out: "Stay! I have one thing to ask you, Orrain." "And that is?"
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