"But to return to Flanders. I will send some one to my brother—but whom can I trust? Oh! now I think of it, you shall go, Chicot."
"I, a dead man?"
"No; you shall go as Robert Briquet."
"As a bagman?"
"Do you refuse?"—"Certainly."
"You disobey me!"
"I owe you no obedience—"
Henri was about to reply, when the door opened and the Duc de Joyeuse was announced.
"Ah! there is your man," said Chicot; "who could make a better ambassador?"
Chicot then buried himself in the great chair, so as to be quite invisible in the dim light. M. de Joyeuse did not see him. The king uttered a cry of joy on seeing his favorite, and held out his hand.