Henri's eyes kindled.
"Fatigue me! It is true I grow rusty here. I have to-day exercised my body much, but my mind little."
"Sire, I am glad of that; for, ambassador from a king, your relation and friend, I have a delicate commission to execute with your majesty."
"Speak quickly—you pique my curiosity."
"Sire—"
"First, your letters of credit. I know it is needless, since you are the ambassador: but I must do my duty as king."
"Sire, I ask your majesty's pardon; but all the letters of credit that I had I have drowned in rivers, or scattered in the air."
"And why so?"
"Because one cannot travel charged with an embassy to Navarre as if you were going to buy cloth at Lyons; and if one has the dangerous honor of carrying royal letters, one runs a risk of carrying them only to the tomb."
"It is true," said Henri, "the roads are not very safe, and in Navarre we are reduced, for want of money, to trust to the honesty of the people; but they do not steal much."