Gabriel was attended as he had been on his return from Italy by four of his people,--Ambroise, Lactance, Yvonnet, and Pilletrousse,--who bore the English flags; but they came no farther than the threshold. The youth himself held in both hands a velvet cushion, upon which were two letters and the keys of the city. At this sight Henri's countenance assumed an expression of joy and fear curiously blended. He thought that he understood the welcome message, but the stern messenger made him anxious. "Vicomte d'Exmès!" he muttered, as he saw Gabriel slowly approaching him. Madame de Poitiers and the constable, exchanging looks of consternation, also faltered beneath their breath. "Vicomte d'Exmès!" Gabriel, meanwhile, with a grave and solemn mien, kneeled before the king, and said with a firm, clear voice,-- "Sire, here are the keys of the city of Calais, which was surrendered to Monsieur de Guise by the English, after a siege of seven days and three fierce assaults, and which Monsieur has made haste to deliver to your Majesty." "Calais is ours?" asked the king, although he had heard and understood perfectly. "Calais is yours, Sire," Gabriel repeated. "_Vive le roi_!" with one accord cried all who were present, with the possible exception of the Constable de Montmorency. Henri II., who could think of nothing now but his vanished fears and the glorious triumph of his arms, saluted the excited assemblage with radiant face. "Thanks, Messieurs, thanks!" said he; "I accept your congratulations in the name of France. But they should not be addressed to me alone; it is but fair that the better part of them should be reserved for the gallant leader of the undertaking,--my noble cousin, Monsieur de Guise." Murmurs of approbation were heard throughout the assemblage; but the time had not yet arrived when any one dared to cry, "Vive le Duc de Guise," in the king's presence. "In our dear cousin's absence," continued Henri, "we are happy in being able to address our thanks and congratulations to you who represent him here, Monsieur le Cardinal de Lorraine, and to you, Monsieur le Vicomte d'Exmès, whom he has intrusted with this glorious and honorable commission." "Sire," said Gabriel, respectfully but firmly, as he inclined his head in acknowledgment of the king's words, "Sire, your pardon, but I am no longer called Vicomte d'Exmès." "What!" exclaimed Henri, with a frown. "Sire," Gabriel continued, "since the day that Calais fell, I have felt justified in assuming my real name and my true title,--Vicomte de Montgommery." At that name, which for so many years had not been pronounced at court save in whispers, there was a veritable explosion of surprise among the bystanders. This youth styled himself Vicomte de Montgommery; then the Comte de Montgommery, his father, doubtless must still be alive! What was the significance of the revival of that name, once so renowned, after so long a disappearance?