"Oh! it is very simple," said Borromée, seeking for a specious answer; "the reverend prior was solicited by the duchesse to become her confessor; he accepted at the time, but since then he has had scruples, and has sent me to tell her not to rely upon him."
"Very good; but you are going away from the Hotel Guise."
"Exactly so; for I hear she is at the Hotel St. Denis, with her brother."
"Quite true; but why do you deceive me? It is not the treasurer who is sent with these sort of messages."
"But to a princess! Now do not detain me, or I shall miss her."
"She will return, you might have waited for her."
"True; but I shall not be sorry to see M. le Duc also."
"Oh! that is more like the truth, so go on. There is something new going on," thought Nicholas; "but why should I try to discover what it is?"
Meanwhile the brother and sister had been conversing together, and had settled that the king had no suspicions, and was therefore easy to attack. They also agreed that the first thing to be done was to organize the League more generally in the provinces, while the king abandoned his brother, who was the only enemy they had to fear, so long as Henri of Navarre occupied himself only with love affairs.
"Paris is all ready, but must wait," said Mayenne.