He desires to know what day will be propitious for the execution of such a purpose; also what is likely to be the success of such a negotiation, and whether his adversary will be moved to answer the confidence thus reposed in him, with gratitude and kindness, or may rather be likely to abuse the opportunity and advantage which such meeting may afford him." "It is an important question," said Martivalle, when the King had done reading, "and requires that I should set a planetary figure [to prepare a diagram which would represent the heavens at that particular moment], and give it instant and deep consideration." "Let it be so, my good father in the sciences, and thou shalt know what it is to oblige a King of France.

We are determined, if the constellations forbid not--and our own humble art leads us to think that they approve our purpose--to hazard something, even in our own person, to stop these anti-Christian wars." "May the Saints forward your Majesty's pious intent," said the Astrologer, "and guard your sacred person." "Thanks, learned father.

Here is something, the while, to enlarge your curious library." He placed under one of the volumes a small purse of gold; for, economical even in his superstitions, Louis conceived the Astrologer sufficiently bound to his service by the pensions he had assigned him, and thought himself entitled to the use of his skill at a moderate rate, even upon great exigencies.
Louis, having thus, in legal phrase, added a refreshing fee to his general retainer, turned from him to address Durward.
"Follow me," he said, "my bonny Scot, as one chosen by Destiny and a Monarch to accomplish a bold adventure.

All must be got ready, that thou mayest put foot in stirrup the very instant the bell of Saint Martin's tolls twelve.

One minute sooner, one minute later, were to forfeit the favourable aspect of the constellations which smile on your adventure." Thus saying, the King left the apartment, followed by his young guardsman; and no sooner were they gone than the Astrologer gave way to very different feelings from those which seemed to animate him during the royal presence.
"The niggardly slave!" he said, weighing the purse in his hand--for, being a man of unbounded expense, he had almost constant occasion for money--"The base, sordid scullion! A coxswain's wife would give more to know that her husband had crossed the narrow seas in safety.