"Come, gentlemen," added the king, who seemed to have shaken off his indifference all at once, "come, we must collect our thoughts now with so many serious matters to consider. The session is at an end for this morning, but the council will meet again this evening. Till evening, then, and God protect France!"
"Vive le roi!" cried the members of the council with one voice.
And the assemblage dispersed.
CHAPTER XII
A TWOFOLD KNAVE
The constable left the king's presence buried in thought. Master Arnauld du Thill put himself in his way, and accosted him in a low voice.
This took place in the grand gallery of the Louvre,
"Monseigneur, one word—"
"Who is it?" said the constable. "Ah, you, Arnauld? What do you want with me? I am hardly in trim to listen to you to-day."
"Yes, I imagined," said Arnauld, "that Monseigneur was vexed by the turn which the marriage project concerning Madame Diane and Monseigneur François has taken."