“I was not thinking of the writing, sir, but of the signature.”
“Oh, I see,” cried the King; “I am not used to it. I shall write it better by-and-by. Well, won’t that one do?”
“Your lordship had not thought before you put pen to paper.”
“Yes, I did; I thought that the sooner I got it over the better. Well, what do you want now?”
“I was wondering,” said Leoni, with a mocking smile, “what King Henry would think of a Comte de la Seine who writes a letter in the King’s name to introduce himself.”
“Bah!” cried the King angrily. “What an idiot! No; it was my honest nature rebelling against deceit. Here, Leoni, what’s to be done?”
“I’ll write the letter over again, sir, and you will sign it this time as the King.”
“Good!” murmured Francis.
The letter was rewritten, and the King signed.
“With this passport, sir, King Henry’s Court at Windsor will be free to you and to yours.”