"But," said the lieutenant, arresting the hand which Maurevel had laid on the handle of the door, "but, captain, these apartments are those of the King of Navarre."
"Who said they were not?" asked Maurevel.
The guards looked at one another in amazement, and the lieutenant stepped back.
"What!" exclaimed he, "arrest some one at this hour, in the Louvre, and in the apartments of the King of Navarre?"
"What should you say," said Maurevel, "were I to tell you that the one you are about to arrest is the King of Navarre himself?"
"I should say, captain, that it is serious business and that without an order signed by King Charles IX."—
"Read this," said Maurevel.
And drawing from his doublet the order which Catharine had given him he handed it to the lieutenant.
"Very well," replied the latter after he had read it. "I have nothing further to say."
"And you are ready?"