Lorenzo Ruggieri seemed to hesitate, and Charles exclaimed:
"What checks you? we are alone."
"Is the King of France here?" asked the old man.
Charles IX. reflected for a moment, then he replied, "No."
"But will he not come?" Lorenzo urged.
"No," replied Charles, restraining an impulse of rage.
The imposing old man took a chair and sat down. Cosmo, amazed at his boldness, dared not imitate his brother.
Charles IX. said, with severe irony:
"The King is not here, monsieur, but you are in the presence of a lady whose permission you ought to wait for."
"The man you see before you, madame," said the grand old man, "is as far above kings as kings are above their subjects, and you shall find me courteous, even when you know my power."