"Good Lord! it's Madame de Castro herself, who is going to the king, no doubt; and it is very important that she should not see me with you, Monseigneur, although she wouldn't know me in this dress. She is coming this way, and I must avoid her." And he made his escape in the opposite direction from that in which Diane was coming. The constable hesitated a moment; then, making up his mind to satisfy himself of the accuracy of Arnauld's report, he advanced boldly to meet Madame d'Angoulême. "Were you going to the king's closet, Madame?" said he. "I was, Monsieur le Connétable." "I am much afraid that you will not find his Majesty disposed to listen to you, Madame," replied Montmorency, naturally alarmed at this step; "and the serious news he has received--" "Make this just the very most opportune moment for me, Monsieur." "And against me, Madame, am I not right? For you have bitter enmity for us." "Alas, Monsieur le Connétable, I have no enmity against anybody in the world." "Have you really nothing in your heart but love?" asked De Montmorency, in so meaning a tone that Diane Mushed and lowered her eyes. "And it is on account of that love, no doubt, that you oppose the king's wishes and the hopes of my son?" Diane in her embarrassment held her peace. "Arnauld has told me the truth," thought the constable; "and she does love this handsome triumphal messenger of Monsieur de Guise." "Monsieur le Connétable," Diane found strength to say at last, "my duty calls upon me to yield obedience to the king, but I have the right to implore my father." "And so," said the constable, "you persist in going to find the king." "Indeed I do." "Oh, well! then I shall go and see Madame de Valentinois, Madame." "As you please, Monsieur." They bowed, and left the gallery by opposite doors; and as Diane entered the king's closet, old Montmorency was ushered into the favorite's apartments. CHAPTER XIII THE ACME OF HAPPINESS "Here, Master Martin," said Gabriel to his squire on the same day and almost at the same hour, "I must go and make my rounds, and shall not return to the house within two hours. Do you, Martin, in one hour go to the usual place and wait there for a letter, an important letter, which Jacinthe will hand you as usual. Don't lose a moment, but make haste to bring it to me. If I have finished my rounds, I shall be before you, otherwise await me here. Do you understand?" "I understand, Monseigneur, but I have a favor to ask of you." "What is it?" "Let me have one of the Guards to keep me company, Monseigneur, I implore you." "A guard to keep you company. What is this new madness? What are you afraid of?"