But be reasonable; why do you think M.de Guise remains at Nancy ?" "To organize an army." "Well; and for what purpose does he destine this army ?" "Ah, Chicot! you fatigue me with all these questions." "You will sleep better after it.

He destines this army--" "To attack the Huguenots in the north--" "Or rather, to thwart your brother of Anjou, who has called himself Duke of Brabant, and wishes to build himself a throne in Flanders, for which he solicits your aid--" "Which I never sent." "To the great joy of the Duc de Guise.

Well, if you were to feign to send this aid--if they only went half way--" "Ah! yes, I understand; M.de Guise would not leave the frontier." "And the promise of Madame de Montpensier that her brother would be here in a week--" "Would be broken." "You see, then ?" "So far, good; but in the south--" "Ah, yes; the Bearnais--" "Do you know what he is at ?" "No." "He claims the towns which were his wife's dowry," said the king.
"Insolent! to claim what belongs to him." "Cahors, for example; as if it would be good policy to give up such a town to an enemy." "No; but it would be like an honest man." "But to return to Flanders.

I will send some one to my brother--but whom can I trust?
Oh! now I think of it, you shall go, Chicot." "I, a dead man ?" "No; you shall go as Robert Briquet." "As a bagman ?" "Do you refuse ?"--"Certainly." "You disobey me!" "I owe you no obedience--" Henri was about to reply, when the door opened and the Duc de Joyeuse was announced.
"Ah! there is your man," said Chicot; "who could make a better ambassador ?" Chicot then buried himself in the great chair, so as to be quite invisible in the dim light.

M.de Joyeuse did not see him.