Gabriel had not time to conclude, for at that moment the door opened and the Comte de Saint-Remy entered, attended by a number of nobles attached to the Guise party. "His Majesty awaits the lieutenant-general of the kingdom at the council-board," said Saint-Remy. "I am at your service, gentlemen," rejoined the duke, saluting the new-comers. Then turning quickly to Gabriel, he said in a low voice,-- "I must leave you now, my friend, as you see; but the unspeakably magnificent scheme which you have thrown into my brain will not leave me the whole day, I promise you. If you really think such a project can be executed, I believe I am capable of understanding you. Can you return here this evening at eight? We shall have the whole night to ourselves without fear of interruption." "I will be prompt to the hour," said Gabriel, "and I will make good use of my time meanwhile." "I make bold to remind Monseigneur that it is now after two," said the Comte de Saint-Remy. "I am here; I am quite ready!" the duke responded. He took a few steps toward the door, then turned and looked at Gabriel, and approaching him once more, as if to be sure that he had understood him aright,-- "Take Calais?" he said again in a low voice, and with a sort of questioning inflection. And Gabriel, bowing his head affirmatively, replied with his sweet, calm smile,-- "Yes, take Calais." The Duc de Guise went to attend the council, and Gabriel followed him from the room and left the Louvre. CHAPTER XI GLIMPSES AT DIVERS MEN OF THE SWORD Aloyse was standing at the lower window of the house anxiously awaiting Gabriel's return. When she finally espied him, she raised to heaven her eyes filled with tears; but tears of happiness and gratitude they were this time. She ran and opened the door with her own hands to her beloved master. "God be praised that I see you once more, Monseigneur!" she cried. "Do you come from the Louvre? Have you seen the king?" "Yes, I have seen him," Gabriel replied. "Well?" "Well, my good nurse, once more I have to wait." "More waiting!" Aloyse exclaimed, wringing her hands. "Holy Virgin! it is very hard and very sad to wait." "It would be impossible," said Gabriel, "if I had not work to do meanwhile. But I will work with a will, and thank God, I can beguile the tedium of the journey by thinking steadfastly of the goal." He entered the parlor, and threw his mantle over the back of a couch. He did not see Martin-Guerre, who was sitting in a corner plunged in deep reflections. "Come, come, Martin, you sluggard, what are you about?" cried Dame Aloyse to the squire. "Can't you even help Monseigneur to take off his cloak?" "Oh, pardon! pardon!" Martin exclaimed, rousing himself from his revery, and leaping from his seat.