Ascanio had no sooner returned to the studio on the previous day, and made his report to Benvenuto touching that part of his expedition which related to the topography of the Hôtel de Nesle, than the goldsmith, seeing that it met his requirements in every respect, hastened to the bureau of Seigneur de Neufville, the first secretary of the king's treasury, to obtain from him documentary evidence of the royal gift. Seigneur de Neufville demanded until the following day to assure himself of the validity of Master Benvenuto's claims, and, although the latter considered him extremely impertinent to refuse to take his word for it, he realized the reasonableness of the demand, and assented, resolved however not to allow Messire de Neufville a half-hour's grace on the following day. He was punctual to the minute, and was at once admitted to the secretary's presence, which he considered a favorable augury. "Well, Monseigneur," he said, "is the Italian a liar, or did he tell you the truth?" "The whole truth, my dear friend." "That is very fortunate." "And the king has ordered me to hand you a deed of gift in proper form." "It will be welcome." "And yet--" continued the secretary, hesitatingly. "Well, what more is there? Let us hear." "And yet if you would allow me to offer you some good advice--" "Good advice! the devil! that's a rare article, Monsieur le Secrétaire; say on, say on." "I should advise you to seek another location for your studio than the Grand-Nesle." "Indeed!" retorted Benvenuto dryly; "think you that it is not a convenient location?" "It is, indeed; and truth compels me to state that you would have great difficulty in finding a better." "Very well, what is the matter then?" "That it belongs to a personage of too much importance for you to come in collision with him without danger." "I myself belong to the noble King of France," rejoined Cellini, "and I shall never flinch so long as I act in his name." "Very good, but in our country, Master Benvenuto, every nobleman is king in his own house, and in seeking to eject the provost from the house which he occupies you risk your life." "We must all die sooner or later," was Cellini's sententious reply. "You are determined, then--" "To kill the devil before the devil kills me. Trust me for that, Monsieur le Secrétaire. Let the provost look well to himself, as all those must do who assume to oppose the king's wishes, especially when Master Benvenuto Cellini has it in charge to carry them out." Thereupon Messire Nicolas de Neufville made an end of his philanthropic observations, but alleged all sorts of formalities to be complied with before delivering the deed. But Benvenuto tranquilly seated himself, declaring that he would not stir until the document was placed in his hands, and that he was determined to stay the night there, if necessary, having foreseen that possibility, and taken the precaution to say to his people that he might not return.