He did not complete the sentence, but strode to and fro a time or two, his mind, which had a natural inclination towards crooked courses, bent on some scheme by which he might play off the one party against the other. Apparently he was not very successful in finding one, however; or else the ill-luck with which he had supported the League against the Huguenots recurred to his mind. For he presently stopped, with a sigh, and came back to the point. ‘If I knew that Turenne were lying,’ be muttered, ‘then indeed--. But Rosny promised evidence, and he has sent me none.’ ‘It is at hand, sire,’ I answered, my heart beginning to beat, ‘Your Majesty will remember that M. de Rosny honoured me with the task of introducing it to you.’ ‘To be sure,’ he replied, awaking as from a dream, and looking and speaking eagerly. Matters to-day have driven everything out of my head. Where is your witness, man? Convince me, and we will act promptly. We will give them Jarnac and Moncontour over again. Is he outside?’ ‘It is a woman, sire,’ I made answer, dashed somewhat by his sudden and feverish alacrity. ‘A woman, eh? You have her here?’ ‘No, sire,’ I replied, wondering what he would say to my next piece of information. ‘She is in Blois, she has arrived, but the truth is--I humbly crave your Majesty’s indulgence--she refuses to come or speak. I cannot well bring her here by force, and I have sought you, sire, for the purpose of taking your commands in the matter.’ He stared at me in the utmost astonishment. ‘Is she young?’ he asked after a long pause. ‘Yes, sire,’ I answered. ‘She is maid of honour to the Princess of Navarre, and a ward also of the Vicomte de Turenne.’ ‘Gad! then she is worth hearing, the little rebel!’ he replied. ‘A ward Of Turenne’s is she? Ho! ho! And now she will not speak? My cousin of Navarre now would know how to bring her to her senses, but I have eschewed these vanities. I might send and have her brought, it is true; but a very little thing would cause a barricade to-night.’ ‘And besides, sire,’ I ventured to add, ‘she is known to Turenne’s people here, who have once stolen her away. Were she brought to your Majesty with any degree of openness, they would learn it, and know that the game was lost.’ ‘Which would not suit me,’ he answered, nodding and looking at me gloomily. ‘They might anticipate our Jarnac; and until we have settled matters with one or the other our person is not too secure. You must go and fetch her. She is at your lodging. She must be brought, man.’ ‘I will do what you command, sire,’ I answered. ‘But I am greatly afraid that she will not come.’