"Oh, Madame!" he said, hardly conscious of what he was doing.
Mary Stuart turned, recognized Gabriel and the admiral, and came up to them with her ever-ready smile.
"So you have returned at last, Monsieur le Vicomte d'Exmès," said she. "I am very glad to see you again; I have heard much talk about you of late. But what are you doing at the Louvre at this early hour, and what is your wish?"
"To speak to the king! to speak to the king, Madame!" Gabriel replied in a stifled voice.
"Monsieur d'Exmès," it was the admiral who spoke, "has really much need to speak to the king without delay. It is a very serious matter for him, and for the king as well; but all these guards prevent his entering, and attempt to put him off till this evening."
"As if I could wait till evening!" cried Gabriel.
"I believe," said Mary Stuart, "that his Majesty is just finishing some important despatches. Monsieur le Connétable de Montmorency is still with the king, and really I am afraid—"
A piteous glance from Gabriel prevented Mary from finishing her sentence.
"Well, we will see," she resumed. "I will take the risk."
She made a sign with her little hand. The guards respectfully fell back, and Gabriel and the admiral were at liberty to pass.