"_Adveniat tuum regnum_," growled Montmorency. "We will remember that, body and blood! We will remember that, even if we have to call the English into France. Go on, Arnauld, go on, by the Mass!" The spy resumed:-- "In the third place, I have to announce to you, Monseigneur, to encourage you and support you in your endeavors, the speedy arrival at Paris of a messenger from your brother, Vicomte d'Exmès, who is bringing to Henri the flags conquered in this Italian campaign. He is about to set out, and will arrive no doubt at the same time that my letter does, which, however, I have chosen to intrust to our regular courier; his presence, and the glorious trophies which he will offer to the king, will assuredly be of great service to you in conducting your negotiations in every direction." "_Fiat voluntas tua_," cried the constable, in a perfect fury of rage. "We will give this ambassador from hell a fine reception. I commend him to you, Arnauld. Is that the end of that cursed letter?" "Yes, Monseigneur, all but the usual complimentary words, and the signature." "Good! you see that there is some work cut out for you, my fine fellow." "I ask for nothing better, Monseigneur, with a little money thrown in to assist in obtaining good results." "Here are a hundred ducats, knave. You must always feel the money in your hand." "But I spend so much in Monseigneur's service." "Your vices cost you more than my service does, you scoundrel." "Oh, how mistaken Monseigneur is in me! I dream only of leading a quiet life, in happiness and affluence, somewhere in the country, with my wife and children about me, and passing the rest of my days in peace, like an honest father and husband." "A most charmingly virtuous and bucolic picture, to be sure! Oh, well, then, mend your ways, put by a few doubloons, and marry, and you will be in a fair way to realize these dreams of domestic felicity. What prevents you?" "Ah, Monseigneur, my fiery spirit! And then what woman would ever have me?" "Meanwhile, and pending your hymeneal plans, suppose you seal that letter again very carefully, and carry it to the cardinal. You must disguise yourself, you understand, and say that your dying comrade enjoined upon you--" "You may trust me, Monseigneur. The resealed letter and the substituted courier will seem more authentic than the real articles." "The deuce take it!" said Montmorency; "we forgot to take down the name of this plenipotentiary whose coming is announced. What is he called?" "Vicomte d'Exmès, Monseigneur." "Ah, yes, that was it, villain. Now see that you remember the name. Well! who dares to interrupt me again?" "Pardon, Monseigneur," said the constable's fourrier, entering. "A gentleman arrived from Italy is asking to see the king on behalf of the Duc de Guise; and I thought I ought to advise you of it, especially since he was very anxious to speak with the Cardinal de Lorraine. He calls himself Vicomte d'Exmès."