"And us also."
"But I have a private pass-word," continued Coconnas, somewhat mortified at sharing with the Sire de Maurevel and Maître La Hurière the honor of his audience.
"So have we."
"But I have a sign of recognition."
Maurevel smiled.
Then he drew from beneath his doublet a handful of crosses in white stuff, gave one to La Hurière, one to Coconnas, and took another for himself. La Hurière fastened his to his helmet. Maurevel attached his to the side of his hat.
"Ah," said Coconnas, amazed, "the appointment and the rallying pass-word were for every one?"
"Yes, sir,—that is to say, for all good Catholics."
"Then there is a festival at the Louvre—some royal banquet, is there not?" said Coconnas; "and it is desired to exclude those hounds of Huguenots,—good, capital, excellent! They have been showing off too long."
"Yes, there is to be a festival at the Louvre—a royal banquet; and the Huguenots are invited; and moreover, they will be the heroes of the festival, and will pay for the banquet, and if you will be one of us, we will begin by going to invite their principal champion—their Gideon, as they call him."