“Yes, sir—”
And then the King, in a softened voice, said slowly:
“You blame me, Leoni?”
“It is not for such as I to blame. All that you have done, sir, is good; but there is the future. Of that we will take thought. You are in a strange land, sir, amidst people who to-morrow may be foes. You are far from the army which would follow you to death, and to meet the dangers which may come into your path there are but three swords, three loyal hearts.”
“And they will be enough,” said the King. “Leoni, old friend, you must have no fear.”
“I have none, sir.”
“Well,” said the King, “between ourselves, Leoni, I have. This thing begins to look more awkward now we are getting so near. King Henry is always very civil to me in his letters, and no doubt he will give the Comte de la Loire—”
“Seine, sir—Seine.”
“Bah! Yes, of course. I knew it was some river. I say: I mustn’t make such a mistake as that again, or he will find me out. Here, hadn’t we better change the name to something else? Seine—Seine—it’s rather a stupid name.”
“Too late, sir,” said Leoni earnestly. “You must hold to it now. But you were about to say something, my lord.”