"Dear Diane! Poor dear Diane!" he was whispering, deeply moved.
When he had read the letter to the end, carried away by his kingly nature, whose first, spontaneous impulse was certainly liberal and just, he said to Gabriel, almost aloud, "Madame de Castro also commends her liberator to me, and it is just that she should. She tells me, Monsieur, that you not only rescued her from captivity, but that you have also saved her honor."
"Oh, I but did my duty, Sire!" said Gabriel.
"Then must I not fail in mine," returned Henri, warmly. "It is for you to speak now, Monsieur. Tell me what you desire at our hands, Monsieur le Vicomte de Montgommery!"
CHAPTER XXVIII
JOY AND ANGUISH
Monsieur le Vicomte de Montgommery! At that name which, when pronounced by the king, seemed to promise all that he wanted, Gabriel's heart fairly leaped for joy.
Henri clearly intended to pardon his father.
"See! he gives way," said Madame de Poitiers, beneath her breath to the constable, who had come to her side.
"Let us wait our opportunity," said Monsieur de Montmorency, without losing his self-possession.