"I am not generally subject to vertigo," said the duke, smiling. "Never mind, Monseigneur," rejoined Gabriel. "At first sight, my plan will--I fear, and I forewarn you--seem extraordinary, insensate, nay, even impossible; really, however, it is only difficult and dangerous." "But that only makes it more attractive," said François de Lorraine. "Well, Monseigneur, it is agreed, then, that you will not, in the first place, be horrified. I say again, there will be great risks to be run; but the means of success are in my power, and when I have unfolded them, you yourself will agree with me." "If that be so, I beg you to speak, Gabriel," said the duke. "But who comes to interrupt us now?" he added impatiently. "Is that you knocking, Thibault?" "Yes, Monseigneur," said the valet, entering the room. "Monseigneur ordered me to let him know when the hour for the council to assemble had arrived, and it is now striking two. Monsieur de Saint-Remy and the other gentlemen will call for Monseigneur directly." "True, true," rejoined the duke; "there is a council-meeting to be held now, and an important one too. It is indispensable that I should be present. Very well, Thibault. Leave us; show the gentlemen in when they arrive. You see, Gabriel, that my duty calls me to the king's side. This evening you can unfold your plan to me at your leisure,--and it must be a noble one, since it comes from your brain; meanwhile I beseech you to satisfy my curiosity and my impatience in a few words. What do you mean to do, Gabriel?" "In two words, Monseigneur, _take Calais_," said Gabriel, calmly. "Take Calais!" almost shouted the Duc de Guise, falling back in surprise. "You forget, Monseigneur," said Gabriel, with the same tranquil air, "that you promised me not to be horrified at the first impression." "Oh, but have you considered this carefully?" said the duke. "Take Calais, defended by a strong garrison, by impregnable fortifications, and by the sea!--Calais, which has been in the power of England more than two centuries! Calais, guarded as carefully as the very key of France! I love an audacious scheme; but will this not be a rash one?" "Yes, Monseigneur," Gabriel replied; "but it is just because it is such a rash undertaking that no one would ever dream of it or suspect it that it has a better chance of success." "In truth, that is very possible," said the duke, thoughtfully. "When you have listened to me, Monseigneur, you will say, 'It is certain!' The rule of conduct to be observed is clearly marked out for us in advance,--to keep it in most absolute secrecy, to throw the enemy off the scent by some false manœuvre, and to appear before the town unexpectedly. In a fortnight Calais will be ours." "But," the duke rejoined earnestly, "these general indications are not sufficient. Your plan, Gabriel,--you have a plan?" "Yes, Monseigneur; it is simple, but sure--"