"The contents are, indeed, of a serious nature," said the king, when he had received and read the letter; "advising my instant withdrawal from the court of France, and retirement to Béarn. M. d'Auriac, although a Catholic, was always a stanch friend of mine; and it is possible that, acting as governor of a province, he got scent of what was in the wind here. Ventre saint gris! monsieur! why was not this letter given to me three days ago, instead of now?"
"Because, as I before assured your majesty, that using all the speed and diligence in my power, it was wholly impossible to arrive before yesterday."
"That is very unfortunate, very unfortunate," murmured the king; "we should then have been in security, either at Rochelle or in some broad plain surrounded by two or three thousand trusty horsemen."
"Sire, what is done is done," said Marguerite, in a low voice, "and instead of wasting your time complaining over the past you must do the best possible with the future."
"If you were in my place, madame," replied Henry, with his questioning look, "you would still have hope, would you?"
"Certainly I should; I should consider myself as playing a game of three points, of which I had lost only the first."
"Ah, madame," whispered Henry, "if I dared but hope that you would go partners with me in the game"—
"If I had intended to side with your adversaries," replied Marguerite, "I should scarcely have delayed so long."
"True!" replied Henry, "and I am ungrateful; and as you say, the past may still be repaired."
"Alas! sire," said La Mole, "I wish your majesty every kind of good fortune; but now the admiral is no more."