"Yes, sir; and yet I dreaded at first to speak, for I foresaw something of what would happen, since to those who study deeply a vision of the future is vouchsafed at times, and I realised even then what might be your resolve--namely, to undertake the perilous quest yourself." "It was for France." "Yes, sir--" And then the King, in a softened voice, said slowly: "You blame me, Leoni?" "It is not for such as I to blame. All that you have done, sir, is good; but there is the future. Of that we will take thought. You are in a strange land, sir, amidst people who to-morrow may be foes. You are far from the army which would follow you to death, and to meet the dangers which may come into your path there are but three swords, three loyal hearts." "And they will be enough," said the King. "Leoni, old friend, you must have no fear." "I have none, sir." "Well," said the King, "between ourselves, Leoni, I have. This thing begins to look more awkward now we are getting so near. King Henry is always very civil to me in his letters, and no doubt he will give the Comte de la Loire--" "Seine, sir--Seine." "Bah! Yes, of course. I knew it was some river. I say: I mustn't make such a mistake as that again, or he will find me out. Here, hadn't we better change the name to something else? Seine--Seine--it's rather a stupid name." "Too late, sir," said Leoni earnestly. "You must hold to it now. But you were about to say something, my lord." "Yes, of course," cried the King hastily. "Suppose Henry does find me out, and has got me there. Why, by my sword, Leoni, he'll hold me to ransom, and instead of my getting back that one jewel he'll make me give up my whole crown." "No, sir; no, sir," cried Leoni earnestly. "Have more faith in yourself, and go forward. You cannot turn back now. You will soon get used to the part you assume, and it will be easy." "I don't know so much about that," said the King. "I am a bad actor. Why, you can't keep it up yourself. If I hadn't stopped you just now you'd have been down upon your knees to kiss my hand." "That was only my reverence and duty to my King." "Yes, I know," said Francis angrily; "but just recollect that you have no king now, and let's have no reverence, for if you get me regularly into trouble over this, good a servant as you have been to me, your friends will have to prepare your tomb, a short one too, for you will lose your head." "In the service of my country and my lord, sir," said Leoni calmly. "I shall have done my duty. But we shall not fail." CHAPTER TWENTY. THE KING'S BULLIES. It was towards evening that the little cavalcade came within sight of the town where was situated the famous castle which was so much to the liking of Henry; and at this point there was a separation, for young Carrbroke took leave. "We shall soon meet again," he said to Denis, as the two lads bade each other farewell. "When does your master go to the Court?" Denis shook his head.