At the announcement made by the usher, all the courtiers turned, and all were paralyzed for a moment when they saw this strange group.
Their astonishment redoubled when the king, stepping aside to allow the sculptor to pass in front of him, said in a loud voice:—
"Master Benvenuto, take our place for the moment, and our authority; speak as if you were the king, and be obeyed as a king should be."
"Beware, Sire," replied the goldsmith: "in order to fill your place fittingly, I propose to be magnificent."
"Go on, Benvenuto," said François laughingly; "every magnificent stroke will be a bit of flattery for me."
"Very good, Sire; that puts me at my ease, and I will praise you as much as I can. Do not forget," he continued, "all you who hear me, that the king is speaking by my mouth. Messieurs les Notaires, you have prepared the contract which his Majesty deigns to sign? Insert the names of the contracting parties."
The two notaries seized their pens and made ready to write the names in the two copies of the contract, one of which was to remain in the archives and the other in their office.
"Of the one part," continued Cellini, "the noble and puissant demoiselle, Colombe d'Estourville."
"Colombe d'Estourville," repeated the notaries, mechanically, while the auditors listened in open-mouthed astonishment.
"Of the other part," continued Cellini, "the most noble and puissant Ascanio Gaddi, Seigneur de Nesle."