"Ventre-saint-gris! And how has that calamity befallen?"
She hesitated a moment, embarrassed by her very wealth of matter, confused between her longing to set the whole case before the king, and her fear of wearying his patience. But his glance told her she need have no misgiving. Had she come to present him Paris, he could not have been more interested.
In the little silence Monsieur found his moment and his words.
"Sire, may I interrupt mademoiselle? Last night, for the first time in a month, I saw my son. He was just returned from an adventure under her window. Mayenne's guard had set on him, and he was escaped by the skin of his teeth. He declared to me that never till he was slain should he cease endeavour to win Mlle. de Montluc. And I? Marry, I ate my words in humblest fashion. After three years I made my surrender. Since you are his one desire, mademoiselle, then are you my one desire. I bade him God-speed."
She gave her hand to Monsieur, sudden tears welling over her lashes.
"Monsieur, I thought to-night I had no friends. And I have so many!"
"Mademoiselle," the king cried in the same breath, "fear not. I will get you your lover if I sell France for him."
She brushed the tears away and smiled on him.
"I have no fear, Sire. With you and M. de St. Quentin to save him, I can have no fear. But he is in desperate case. Has M. de St. Quentin told you of his secretary Lucas, my cousin Paul de Lorraine?"
"Aye," said the king, "it is a dolourous topic—very painful! Eh, Rosny?"