“What! already?”
“Sire, I have no news but that the Duc d’Anjou begs to speak to your majesty.”
“What for?”
“He says that the moment has come for him to tell you what service he rendered your majesty, and that what he has to tell you will calm a part of your fears.”
“Well, let him come.”
At this moment they heard a voice crying, “I must speak to the king at once!”
The king recognized the voice, and opened the door.
“Here, St. Luc!” cried he. “What is it? But, mon Dieu! what is the matter? Are they dead?”
Indeed, St. Luc, pale, without hat or sword, and spotted with blood, rushed into the king’s room.
“Sire!” cried he, “vengeance! I ask for vengeance!”