“And, now,” said Quelus, “we say, ‘Save us,’ sire; or rather, save yourself; to-morrow M. de Guise will come to the Louvre, and ask you to name a chief for the League; if you name M. d’Anjou, as you promised, he, at the head of one hundred thousand Parisians, excited by this night, can do what he likes.”
“Then,” said Henri, “if I take a decisive step, you will support me?”
“Yes, sire.”
“If, sire, you will only give me time to remodel my dress,” said D’Epernon.
“Go to my room, D’Epernon; my valet de chambre will give you what you want.”
“And I, sire, must have a bath,” said Schomberg.
“Go to my bath.”
“Then I may hope, sire, that my insult will not remain unavenged.”
Henri remained silent a moment, and then said, “Quelus, ask if M. d’Anjou has returned to the Louvre.”
Quelus went, but came back, and said that the duke had not yet returned.