"But from there I shall hear all, in spite of myself."
"Oh! Never mind; I have nothing to hide. Apropos; have you nothing more to say to me from your king?"
"Nothing at all, sire."
"Very well, then, you have nothing to do but to see and hear, like all other ambassadors, and the library will do excellently for that purpose. Look with all your eyes, and listen with all your ears, my dear Chicot. D'Aubiac, let the ambassador enter."
Chicot hastened to his place of concealment, and drew the tapestry close.
When the first preliminaries of etiquette were over, the ambassador said:
"Can I speak freely to your majesty?"
"You may, monsieur."
"Sire, I bring the answer from his Catholic majesty."
"An answer," thought Chicot; "then there was a question."