"And your friend the Florentine," said Henry, "knows something about this poisoning?"
"Yes, sire."
"How can you tell me a secret which is not yours, Réné, especially when the secret is such an important one?" said Henry, in the most natural tone he could assume.
"This friend has some advice to ask of your majesty."
"Of me?"
"What is there surprising in that, sire? Remember the old soldier of Actium who, having a law-suit on hand, asked advice of Augustus."
"Augustus was a lawyer, Réné, and I am not."
"Sire, when my friend confided this secret to me, your majesty still belonged to the Calvinist party, of which you were the chief head, and of which Monsieur de Condé was the second."
"Well?" said Henry.
"This friend hoped that you would use your all-powerful influence over Monsieur de Condé and beg him not to be hostile to him."