"But," said the regent, "the king is not dead, although you speak almost as if he were."
"The Grand Dauphin, the Duc and Duchesse de Bourgogne and their children, disappeared in a deplorable manner." The regent turned pale with anger; Dubois coughed.
"Then they reckon on the king's death?"
"Generally, monseigneur."
"Then that explains how the king of Spain hopes, in spite of the renunciation of his rights, to mount the throne of France. But, among the people attached to the regency, he may meet with some opposition."
The false Spaniard involuntarily lingered on these words.
"Monseigneur," replied the chevalier, "this case also has been foreseen."
"Ah!" said Dubois, "this has been foreseen. Did not I tell you, monseigneur, that the Bretons were valuable to us. Continue, monsieur, continue."
In spite of this invitation, Gaston was silent.
"Well, monsieur," said the pretended duke, "I am listening."