In three or four weeks after the death of Gabrielle d'Estrees Henry IV.

was paying court to a new favorite.

One morning, at Fontainebleau, just as he was going out hunting, he took Sully by the hand, led him into the first gallery, gave him a paper, and, turning the other way as if he were ashamed to see it read by Sully, "Read that," said he, "and then tell me your opinion of it." Sully found that it was a promise of marriage given to Mdlle.

Henriette d'Entraigues, daughter of Francis de Balzac, Lord of Entraigues, and Marie Touchet, favorite of Charles IX.

Sully went up to the king, holding in his hand the paper folded up.
"What do you think of it ?" said the king.