The duke looked fixedly at Poulain. "There must be more in it," said he; "resolute as the duchess is, she would not attempt such an enterprise alone." "She expects her brother." "The Duke Henri?" "No, monsieur; only the Duc de Mayenne." "Ah! good," said d'Epernon; "now I must set to work to counteract these fine projects." "Doubtless, monsieur; it was for that I came." "If you have spoken the truth you shall be rewarded." "Why should I lie, monsieur; where is my interest--I, who eat the king's bread? If you do not believe me, I will go to the king himself." "No, parfandious, you shall not go to the king: you shall have to deal with me, alone." "I only said it because you seemed to hesitate." "No, I do not hesitate; and, first, here are a thousand crowns for you, and you shall keep this secret between you and me." "I have a family, monsieur." "Well! a thousand crowns, parfandious." "If they knew in Lorraine that I had spoken, each word would cost me a pint of blood; and in case of any misfortune, my family must be able to live, therefore I accept the thousand crowns." The duke approached a coffer. Poulain thought it was for the money, and held out his hand, but he only drew out a little book and wrote, "Three thousand livres to M. Nicholas Poulain." "It is as if you had them," said he. Nicholas bowed, and looked puzzled. "Then it is agreed?" said the duke. "What, monsieur?" "That you will continue to instruct me?" Nicholas hesitated. "What! has your noble devotion vanished already?" "No, monsieur." "Then I may count on you?" "You may." "And I alone know this?" "You alone." "Now you may go, my friend; and, parfandious, let M. de Mayenne look to himself." When D'Epernon returned to the king he found him playing at cup and ball. D'Epernon assumed a thoughtful air, but the king did not remark it. However, as the duke remained perfectly silent, the king raised his head and said, "Well, Lavalette, what is the matter, are you dead?" "I wish I were," replied D'Epernon, "and I should not see what I do see." "What, my cup and ball?" "Sire, in a time of great peril the subject may be alarmed for the safety of his master." "What! again perils; devil take you, duke." "Then you are ignorant of what is passing?" "Ma foi, perhaps." "Your most cruel enemies surround you at this moment." "Bah! who are they?" "First, the Duchesse de Montpensier." "Yes, that is true; she came to see Salcede; but what is that to me?" "You knew it, then?" "You see I did." "But that M. de Mayenne was here?" "Yes, since yesterday evening." "What! this secret?" cried D'Epernon, with a disagreeable surprise. "Are there, then, any secrets from the king? You are zealous, dear Lavalette, but you are slow. This news would have been good at four o'clock yesterday, but to-day--" "Well, sire, to-day?" "It comes too late, you will agree?" "Still too soon, sire, it seems, since you will not listen to me." "I have been listening for half-an-hour."