"But your Majesty knows that admission to the Louvre--" "Very good! very good! the person who gave the order can rescind it. It was a war measure, and as you now have none but friends at court, everything will be re-established upon a peace footing." "As your Majesty is in a granting mood," said the duchess, "I pray you to grant a trifling request which I prefer, although I did not make the Jupiter." "No," said Benvenuto in an undertone, "but you have often acted the part of Danaë." "What is your request?" said François, who did not hear Benvenuto's epigram. "Say on, Madame la Duchesse, and be sure that the solemnity of the occasion can add nothing to my desire to be agreeable to you." "Very well, Sire; your Majesty might well confer upon Messire d'Estourville the great honor of signing on Monday next the marriage contract of my young friend, Mademoiselle d'Estourville, with Comte d'Orbec." "Why, I should be conferring no favor upon you by so doing," rejoined the king, "but I should afford myself a very great pleasure, and should still remain your debtor, I swear." "So it is agreed, Sire, for Monday?" asked the duchess. "For Monday," said the king. "Madame la Duchesse," said Benvenuto, under his breath, "do you not regret that the beautiful lily you ordered Ascanio to execute is not finished, that you might wear it upon such an occasion?" "Of course I regret it," was the reply; "but it's impossible, for Ascanio is in prison." "Very true, but I am free; I will finish it and bring it to Madame la Duchesse." "Oh! upon my honor! if you do that I will say--" "You will say what, madame?" "I will say that you are a delightful man." She gave her hand to Benvenuto, who gallantly imprinted a kiss upon it, after asking the king's permission with a glance. At that moment a slight shriek was heard. "What is that?" the king asked. "Sire, I ask your Majesty's pardon," said the provost, "but my daughter is ill." "Poor child!" murmured Benvenuto; "she thinks that I have abandoned her." XX A PRUDENT MARRIAGE Benvenuto would have returned to Paris the same evening, but the king was so persistent that he could not avoid remaining at the château until the following morning. With the rapidity of conception and promptness of decision which were characteristic of him, he determined to arrange for the next day the _dénouement_ of a transaction which he began long before. It was a collateral matter which he wished to have off his hands altogether before devoting himself entirely to Ascanio and Colombe. He remained at the château to supper on that evening and until after breakfast on the Friday, and not until noon did he set out on his return journey, accompanied by little Jehan, after taking leave of the king and Madame d'Etampes.