"'Where?' he asked, looking around. "But I only looked at La Valentinois, and this time she was red enough. She can blush at will, I believe. Strange that behind so fair a face lies so twisted a soul! And as the King followed my glance the blush on her cheek became deeper and deeper. "'_Ma petite_,' and he pinched her ear, 'I find I have a rival. I shall have to send him to the Chatelet.' Whereat every one laughed, and Pompon, hearing the sounds, hopped in through the window, and helped himself to another plum. "'Ah, bandit!' And the King flung a sippet of toast after him as he added: 'I am hedged in with robbers.' "'That is true, sire,' I said gravely. "'You heard that at Crequy's last night.' And there was a sharp note in Diane's voice. "'Oh yes; and much worse.' "'Come, tell us!' said the King. "'Sire, you will remember that Monsieur Joue and Monsieur d'Arbois are inveterate gossips.' "'I will not forget. Well, what did these gentlemen say?' "'Amongst other things, that your Majesty would totally cancel the edicts you have suspended, and freely pardon all the Christaudins.' "I had risked my shot, and now awaited the result. It had hit its mark, I knew, for the King began to hum and haw, and Diane gave me a look from those blue-black eyes of hers. It is wonderful how their expression can change. They seemed to grow small, with a hard, pitiless look in them, and little cobwebs of wrinkles gathered near her temples. "'It would be madness!--folly!' And her foot kept tapping the carpet. "'Caraffa and Lorraine are right; it would be a sin.' And the King crossed himself. 'No, no! I will purge the land of its heresy. You have proved their disloyalty to me, Diane. Scarce three weeks have passed since the edicts were suspended, and see what head these Huguenots make! But I will let them see that I am King!' "And Diane bent forward and kissed his cheek. "As for me, I knew I was treading on dangerous ground, and so, for the present, went warily, and kept silence. And then La Valentinois knelt by the side of the King, holding his hand in hers, and looking into his eyes. "'Sire,' she said, 'I have a boon to ask.' "'Ask, then.' And Henri pushed aside the curls from her forehead. "'It is that you reward the faithful whilst you punish the guilty.' "'Let it be as you wish, _ma petite_.' "'Then sign this, sire.' And, rising to her feet, she took a paper from her dress and held it before the King, standing beside him, with one white arm round his neck. "Henri read, and his face fell a little. 'So,' he said, 'you want the goods of all heretics condemned in Paris granted to our most faithful subjects--Diane, Duchess de Valentinois; Simon, Vidame d'Orrain; and Antoine, Sire de Mouchy, Inquisitor of Faith! Madame, this is a matter for the council.' And, in his weak way, the King tried to put off the matter.