"Oh, I thank and bless you from the bottom of my heart, Monsieur l'Amiral, for your loyalty and virtue," said Gabriel, deeply touched, and pressing Coligny's hands. "I expected no less of you. But look upon me, I beg, as bound to you forever. Yes, from this hour, your creditor has become your debtor, and will remember his debt, I swear to you." Meanwhile the king, frowning and with downcast eyes, was beating his foot impatiently on the floor, and seemed deeply vexed. The constable gradually approached Madame de Poitiers, and exchanged a few words with her in an undertone. They seemed to have come to some decision, for Diane began to smile; and her diabolical and feminine grimace made Gabriel shudder, as he happened to be looking at the beautiful duchess at that moment. However, Gabriel found strength to add,-- "I will keep you no longer, Monsieur l'Amiral. You have done more than your duty toward me; and if his Majesty will deign now to grant, as my first reward, the favor of a private interview--" "Later, Monsieur, later; I do not say no," said Henri, quickly, "but just now it is impossible." "Impossible!" cried Gabriel, sorrowfully. "Why impossible, Sire?" Diane interrupted pleasantly, to Gabriel's great surprise, and the king's as well. "What! do you think, Madame--?" stammered Henri. "I think, Sire, that a king's most pressing duty is to render to each one of his subjects that which is his due. Now, your debt to Monsieur d'Exmès is one of the most well-founded and sacred of all debts in my opinion." "No doubt, no doubt!" said Henri, who began to read the signals in the favorite's eyes; "and I wish--" "To hear at once what Monsieur d'Exmès has to say," Diane finished his sentence. "That is right, Sire, and no more than justice." "But his Majesty knows," said Gabriel, more and more lost in amazement, "that it is essential that I should speak with him alone?" "Monsieur de Montmorency was just about to retire as you came in, Monsieur," rejoined Madame de Poitiers; "and you have yourself taken the trouble to tell Monsieur l'Amiral that you would detain him no longer. As for myself, as I was a witness of the contract the king made with you, and can even, if need be, remind his Majesty of its exact terms, perhaps you will allow me to remain." "Most assuredly, Madame; I ask you to do so," murmured Gabriel. "My nephew and myself will take our leave, then, of his Majesty and of you, Madame," said Montmorency. He made a sign of encouragement, as he passed, to Diane, of which she seemed in no need, however. For his part Coligny ventured to press Gabriel's hand; then he followed his uncle from the room. The king and the favorite remained alone with Gabriel, who was in a state of alarm at the unexpected and mysterious protection accorded to him by Diane de Castro's mother. CHAPTER IX THE OTHER DIANE