"Oh, I should be perfectly delighted, my beloved Sire," replied Mary, "especially for your sake; for I am sometimes unquiet about your health, and you suffer too frequently with these distressing headaches. The change of air and of scene would distract your thoughts, and be a most excellent thing for you. Yes, let us go, let us go! But, oh! the cardinal and the queen-mother,--will they listen to such a plan?" "Well, after I am king and I am master," said François. "The kingdom is quiet and peaceable; and since they get along very well without my will in the government, they can do quite as well without my presence. We will take our flight in advance of the winter, Mary, like the swallows. Let us see. Where would you like to go? Suppose we were to visit your Scottish States?" "What! cross the seal," said Mary. "Expose your delicate chest, my _mignon_, to those dangerous fogs? No! I should prefer our smiling Touraine and this fair Château de Blois. But why should we not pay a visit to our sister Élisabeth in Spain?" "The air of Madrid is not wholesome for kings of France, Mary." "Oh, well! Italy, then!" suggested Mary. "It is always lovely there, and always warm,--blue sky and blue water; orange-trees in flower, and music, and continual holiday-making!" "Italy accepted!" cried the king, joyously. "We will see the Holy Catholic Religion in all its glory,--the magnificent churches and the relics of the saints." "And Raphael's paintings," added Mary, "and St. Peter's, and the Vatican." "We will ask the Holy Father for his blessing, and will bring back our hands full of indulgences." "Oh, it will be delightful," said the queen, "to realize this lovely dream together, side by side, beloved and loving, with heaven in our hearts, and on our heads--" "Paradise!" cried François, enthusiastically. But even as he spoke, carried away by the fascinating thought, the door opened suddenly, and the Cardinal de Lorraine, pushing aside the usher in attendance, who had no time to announce him, burst into the royal apartment, pale and breathless. The Duc de Guise, less excited but quite as serious, followed his brother at a short distance, and his measured step could be heard in the antechamber through the door, which remained open. CHAPTER XXI END OF THE ITALIAN JOURNEY "Well, Monsieur le Cardinal," said the young king, warmly, "am I not to be allowed a moment of leisure and freedom even in this place?" "Sire," replied Charles de Lorraine, "I am very sorry to disobey your Majesty's orders; but the affair which has led my brother and myself hither is of too great moment to admit of delay." As he spoke, the Duc de Guise came gravely in, saluted the king and queen silently, and remained standing behind his brother, mute, immovable, and very serious. "Very well! I am listening, Monsieur; therefore speak," said François to the cardinal.