"Well! what is there strange in that?"
"But a king, madame! Really, I think—I fear I am not of sufficiently high rank."
"My confidence makes you the first gentleman of my court, Monsieur de Maurevel," said Catharine.
"I thank your majesty," said the assassin so moved that he seemed to hesitate.
"You will obey, then?"
"If your majesty orders it, is it not my duty?"
"Yes, I order it."
"Then I will obey."
"How shall you go to work?"
"Why, madame, I do not know, I should greatly like to be guided by your majesty."