"You are too much the Grand Master, Monsieur de Guise," said the young King, suppressing his wrath.
"Devil take lovers!" muttered the Cardinal in Catherine's ear.
"My son," replied the Queen-mother, appearing behind the Cardinal, "the safety of your person is at stake as well as of your kingdom."
"Heresy was awake while you slept, Sire," said the Cardinal.
"Withdraw into the hall," said the little King; "we will hold a Council."
"Madame," said the Duke to the Queen, "your furrier's son has come with some furs which are seasonable for your journey, as we shall probably ride by the Loire.—But he also wishes to speak with madame," he added, turning to the Queen-mother. "While the King is dressing, would you and Her Majesty dismiss him forthwith, so that this trifle may no further trouble us."
"With pleasure," replied Catherine; adding to herself, "If he thinks to be rid of me by such tricks, he little knows me."
The Cardinal and the Duke retired, leaving the two Queens with the King. As he went through the guardroom to go to the council-chamber, the Grand Master desired the usher to bring up the Queen's furrier.
When Christophe saw this official coming towards him from one end of the room to the other, he took him, from his dress, to be some one of importance, and his heart sank within him; but this sensation, natural enough at the approach of a critical moment, became sheer terror when the usher, whose advance had the effect of directing the eyes of the whole splendid assembly to Christophe with his bundles and his abject looks, said to him:
"Their Highnesses the Cardinal de Lorraine and the Grand Master desire to speak to you in the council-room."