And despite the half-hearted promise given by the arch-procrastinator, there was a look of triumph and of joy on Queen Marguerite's piquant features now. She rose to her feet and hastily dried her tears.
There was a rap at the door. Marguerite seated herself on a cushioned chair opposite her brother and called out serenely: 'Enter!'
CHAPTER III
HOW A CLEVER WOMAN OUTWITTED AN OBSTINATE MAN
I
The door was thrown open and Messire Gilles de Crohin, Sire de Froidmont, stood at attention upon the threshold.
'Monseigneur le Baron d'Inchy's messenger, is it not, Messire?' asked Marguerite of Navarre quickly, even before Gilles had time to make the formal announcement.
'Messire de Montigny has arrived, your Majesty,' he replied. 'He bears credentials from Monseigneur the governor of Cambray.'
'Messire de Montigny?' she said, with a frown of puzzlement. 'In person?'
'Yes, your Majesty.'