“Good, monsieur; you are severe, but, perhaps, it is deserved; only as I have a prior engagement with four gentlemen, I beg to be allowed to retire to-night, and I pledge my word, you shall find me again, when and where you will.” Monsoreau shrugged his shoulders. “I swear to you, monsieur,” said Bussy, “that when I have satisfied MM. Quelus, Schomberg, D’Epernon, and Maugiron, I shall be at your service. If they kill me, your vengeance will be satisfied, and if not----” Monsoreau turned to his men. “On, my brave fellows,” said he. “Oh!” said Bussy, “I was wrong; it is not a duel, but an assassination.” “Yes.” “We were each deceived with regard to the other; but remember, monsieur, that the Duc d’Anjou will avenge me.” “It was he who sent me.” Diana groaned. Instantaneously Bussy overturned the prie-Dieu, drew a table towards him, and threw a chair over all, so that in a second he had formed a kind of rampart between himself and his enemies. This movement had been so rapid, that the ball fired at him from the arquebuse only struck the prie-Dieu. Diana sobbed aloud. Bussy glanced at her, and then at his assailants, crying, “Come on, but take care, for my sword is sharp.” The men advanced, and one tried to seize the prie-Dieu, but before he reached it, Bussy’s sword pierced his arm. The man uttered a cry, and fell back. Bussy then heard rapid steps in the corridor, and thought he was surrounded. He flew to the door to lock it, but before he could reach it, it was opened, and two men rushed in. “Ah! dear master!” cried a well-known voice, “are we in time?” “Rémy!” “And I?” cried a second voice, “it seems they are attempting assassination here.” “St. Luc!” cried Bussy, joyfully. “Ah! M. de Monsoreau, I think now you will do well to let us pass, for if you do not, we will pass over you.” “Three more men,” cried Monsoreau. And they saw three new assailants appear on the balcony. “They are an army,” cried St. Luc. “Oh! God protect him!” cried Diana. “Wretch!” cried Monsoreau, and he advanced to strike her. Bussy saw the movement. Agile as a tiger, he bounded on him, and touched him in the throat; but the distance was too great, it was only a scratch. Five or six men rushed on Bussy, but one fell beneath the sword of St. Luc. “Rémy!” cried Bussy, “carry away Diana.” Monsoreau uttered a yell and snatched a pistol from one of the men. Rémy hesitated. “But you?” said he. “Away! away! I confide her to you.” “Come, madame,” said Rémy. “Never! I will never leave him.” Rémy seized her in his arms. “Bussy, help me! Bussy!” cried Diana. For any one who separated her from Bussy, seemed an enemy to her. “Go,” cried Bussy, “I will rejoin you.” At this moment Monsoreau fired, and Bussy saw Rémy totter, and then fall, dragging Diana with him. Bussy uttered a cry, and turned. “It is nothing, master,” said Rémy. “It was I who received the ball. She is safe.”