"Show me that you do really know me," answered the other, in a gayer tone than he had hitherto used, "by writing the name you would fix upon me in the letter." "Do you think I have forgotten the conferences of Niort?" demanded Henry; "no, no! I remember them well; and I recollect, too, that when I pressed Madame de Saulnes somewhat hard to tell me what I was really to expect from the court of that day, she told me to ask you, not her; for that your habits were different; you never told a falsehood, and she never told the truth!" "But I told you nothing!" exclaimed the boy, eagerly. "No, but you said plainly you would not!" answered the king, "and therefore I trusted you with my life when last I met you; and will trust you to the very utmost now. Come, let us go back to the castle." As he spoke, he took the hand of the youth, who had again risen; but Leonard de Monte instantly withdrew it, saying, "Perhaps I had better send for the paper when your Majesty has had leisure to finish it." "Good faith, you must take it now or never!" answered Henry: "but who have we here?" "'Tis but a page I sent to seek you at the chateau, sire," replied his companion, "while I waited amongst the alleys for his return. I heard your voice, however, as you dismissed your attendants, and followed you hither." "Ha, St. Real's dwarf, who met us in the wood!" cried the monarch, as the page Bartholo approached, "Pardie! your schemes seem to have been well and deeply laid; and yet there is a mystery which I cannot altogether fathom; though I have been accustomed to deal with those whose trade is deceit, till my eyes, I believe could well nigh penetrate the nether millstone. You must some day let me into the secret of all this." "Perhaps I may, your Majesty," replied the youth; "that is, I may some time give you the secret of my own conduct. The secret of my present request, sire, is very soon told. I seek but to aid the oppressed, and if your Majesty will listen to the tale, it shall be told as we go along." "Speak, speak!" replied the king; "we treat as crown to crown, you know; and I must e'en take as much or as little of your confidence as your diplomacy is pleased to offer. Speak! and if I can aid you, count upon my help." Leonard de Monte made a sign to Bartholo to draw back; and then walking by the side of the king, with the ease of one accustomed to courts and the society of princes, proceeded to tell the tale he had mentioned, in a low voice, the tones of which scarcely reached the dwarf's ear. It was evident, however, that the king soon became interested; sometimes suddenly interrupting the soft melodious tones in which the voice spoke, to ask some rapid question, sometimes abruptly pausing to listen with greater attention, and then resuming his walk towards the chateau. When they had nearly reached the gates, the monarch again turned, exclaiming, "Marry her to St. Real!--Pardie! that was not the consummation I expected."