"Assuredly; but that is no reason why we should not confer a little together. Gillonne, close the door, and leave us."
Marguerite, who was sitting, then rose and extended her hand, as if to desire the pages to remain.
"Must I call your women?" inquired the king. "I will do so if such be your desire, although I confess that for what I have to say to you I should prefer our being alone;" and the King of Navarre advanced towards the closet.
"No!" exclaimed Marguerite, hastily going before him,—"no! there is no occasion for that; I am ready to hear you."
The Béarnais had learned what he desired to know; he threw a rapid and penetrating glance towards the cabinet, as if in spite of the thick curtain which hung before it, he would dive into its obscurity, and then, turning his looks to his lovely wife, pale with terror, he said with the utmost composure, "In that case, Madame, let us confer for a few moments."
"As your Majesty pleases," said the young wife, falling into, rather than sitting upon the seat which her husband pointed out to her.
The Béarnais placed himself beside her. "Madame," he continued, "whatever many persons may have said, I think our marriage is a good marriage. I stand well with you; you stand well with me."
"But—" said Marguerite, alarmed.
"Consequently, we ought," observed the King of Navarre, without seeming to notice Marguerite's hesitation, "to act towards each other like good allies, since we have to-day sworn alliance in the presence of God. Don't you think so?"
"Unquestionably, Monsieur."