"You will find, madame," said he sternly, "that members of my faith have not only stood around the throne of France, but have even seated themselves upon it." "God has for His own all-wise purposes permitted it, and none should know it better than I, whose grandsire, Theodore d'Aubigny, did so much to place a crown upon the head of the great Henry.

But Henry's eyes were opened ere his end came, and I pray--oh, from my heart I pray--that yours may be also." She rose, and throwing herself down upon the _prie-dieu_ sunk her face in her hands for some few minutes, during which the object of her devotions stood in some perplexity in the middle of the room, hardly knowing whether such an attention should be regarded as an insult or as a favour.

A tap at the door brought the lady back to this world again, and her devoted attendant answered her summons to enter.
"The king is in the Hall of Victories, madame," said she.

"He will be here in five minutes." "Very well.

Stand outside, and let me know when he comes.