"An answer to what?" said Henri.
"To your proposals of last month."
"Ma foi! I am very forgetful! please to recall to me what they were."
"About the invasions of the Lorraine princes."
"Yes, I remember, particularly those of M. de Guise; go on, monsieur."
"Sire, the king, my master, although much begged to sign a treaty of alliance with Lorraine, prefers one with Navarre. I know my master's intentions with regard to you."
"May I also know them?"
"Sire, my master will refuse nothing to Navarre."
Chicot bit his fingers to convince himself that he was not dreaming.
"What can I ask then?" said Henri.