"The proposition is not inacceptable. It may serve as the basis for some combination that we may offer later."
Despite his self-control, the Cardinal's face betrayed his secret joy. The Queen seemed not to notice it, and proceeded:
"The first thing to do would then be to withdraw my son of Anjou from the command of the army."
"The principal thing to do, madam, would be to remonstrate with the young Prince, and to separate him from his present evil advisers."
"That, indeed, would be the wisest course to pursue, if that plot exists, as I very much fear it can not be doubted in sight of the proofs you have presented to me. And yet, I must be frank to confess, I feel some repugnance against placing the Duke of Alva at the head of our army. I would be afraid, above all, of displeasing the other military chiefs and high dignitaries of our court. The measure will seem an outrage to them."
"I have the honor of reminding your Majesty that, in that case, my brother and my nephew will be joined to the Duke of Alva."
"You may feel certain, Monsignor Cardinal, that, without the express condition of Messieurs of Aumale and Guise being joined to the Spanish generalissimo, I would not for a moment have lent an ear to the scheme."
Thrown off the scent by the Queen, the prelate answered enthusiastically:
"Oh, madam, I swear to God the throne has not a more faithful supporter than the house of Guise."
"The fraud! The scamp!" said the Italian woman to herself. "I have probed his thoughts! I scent his treason! But I am compelled to conceal my feelings and to humor his family, however heartily I abhor it."