"A messenger from Monsieur de Guise has arrived from Calais, and solicits the honor of an audience of his Majesty."
"A messenger from Calais!" echoed the king, rising to his feet, with gleaming eye, and almost beside himself.
"At last!" said the cardinal, trembling between joy and fear.
"Introduce Monsieur de Guise's messenger; introduce him at once," added the king, eagerly.
It need not be said that every voice was hushed, every heart beating high, and that all eyes were turned toward the door.
Gabriel entered amid a profound silence.
"He's such a bewitching little man.
And he's talking and laughing the livelong day,
And kissing his sweetheart whene'er he can.
God keep little Louis from all harm's way!"
"Oh, Sire, be careful; for if you allow,
As Charles ever longs to, and Diane does now,
The one or the other, or both, to derange you,
To shape you and work you, remodel and change you,
By yielding too freely to all their demands,
Soon you'll be like the softest of wax in their hands."