Henri was delighted.
"Ah! good-evening, duke; I am enchanted to see you.

Why were you not present at the execution of Salcede ?--I told you there would be room in my box." "Sire, I was unable to avail myself of your majesty's kindness." "Unable ?" "Yes, sire; I was busy." "One would think that you were my minister, coming to announce, with a long face, that some subsidy had not been paid." "Ma foi! your majesty is right; the subsidy has not been paid, and I am penniless.

But it was not that which occupied me." "What then ?" "Your majesty knows what passed at the execution of Salcede ?" "Parbleu! I was there." "They tried to carry off the criminal." "I did not see that." "It is the rumor all through the city, however." "A groundless one." "I believe your majesty is wrong." "On what do you found your belief ?" "Because Salcede denied before the people what he had confessed to the judges." "Ah! you know that, already." "I try to know all that interests your majesty." "Thanks; but what do you conclude from all this ?" "That a man who dies like Salcede was a good servant, sire." "Well ?" "And the master who has such followers is fortunate." "You mean to say that I have none such; or, rather, that I no longer have them.

You are right, if that be what you mean." "I did not mean that; your majesty would find, I am sure, were there occasion, followers as devoted as Salcede." "Well, duke, do not look gloomy; I am sad enough already.

Do be gay." "Gayety cannot be forced, sire." The king struck the table angrily.