For like a flash of lightning his memory brought before him all at once the gloomy, desolate old man, who might never utter a word, and whom he had seen with such a strange agitation of the heart, in one of the deepest dungeons of the royal prison. Bursting into tears, Gabriel threw himself into the arms of his faithful and true-hearted nurse. [Footnote 4: "Oh, God, our Heavenly Father, Who changedst water to wine, Make of my breech a lantern To light this friend of mine!"] CHAPTER XXV AN HEROIC RANSOM The next day, August 12, it was with an unfaltering step and a tranquil face that Gabriel de Montgommery took his way to the Louvre to ask audience of the king. He had debated long and earnestly in his own mind, and with Aloyse, as to what he should do and say. Convinced that a violent course would have no other result with an adversary who wore a crown than to subject him to his father's fate, Gabriel had resolved to speak plainly and with dignity, but in a tone of moderation and with due respect. He would ask, not demand. Would there not still be time for him to adopt a more lofty demeanor, and ought he not in the first place to ascertain if the lapse of eighteen years had not softened Henri's bitter enmity? Gabriel, in forming this resolution, showed as much discretion and shrewdness as were consistent with the bold step he had determined on. Circumstances moreover lent him aid from an unexpected quarter. As he entered the courtyard of the Louvre, attended by Martin-Guerre,--the real Martin-Guerre on this occasion,--Gabriel noticed an extraordinary commotion; but his mind was too deeply absorbed in his own affairs to pay much attention to the busily talking groups and sad faces which he passed at every step. Nevertheless, he could but recognize on his way a litter with the Guise arms, and salute the cardinal, who was just leaving it in a state of great excitement. "Ah! is it you, Monsieur Vicomte d'Exmès," said Charles de Lorraine, "and are you quite yourself again? So much the better! so much the better! Monsieur my brother was asking for news of you in his last letter with much interest." "Monseigneur is so very kind!" responded Gabriel. "You have well earned it by your gallantry," said the cardinal. "But where are you going so fast?" "To seek the king, Monseigneur." "Hm! The king has other business on hand than receiving you, my young friend. But wait a moment! I am going to his Majesty also, for he just sent for me. Let us go up together; I will be your sponsor, and you shall lend me the support of your strong arm. One good turn for another. In fact, that is just what I was going to say to his Majesty; for you have heard the sad news, I suppose?" "No, indeed," Gabriel replied; "for I have just come from home; and I only noticed that there seemed to be something exciting in the air."