"Monsieur!" said Henri, hesitatingly.
He looked anxiously at Diane de Poitiers, whose tranquillity and self-possession seemed to be quite undisturbed.
Nevertheless, it was a difficult position for the king. Henri had grown used to thinking of Gabriel as dead or in captivity, and had not prepared himself with a reply to his terrible demand.
In the face of this hesitation Gabriel's heart was torn with anguish.
"Sire," he continued, in an almost despairing tone, "it is impossible that your Majesty has forgotten! Your Majesty must remember our solemn interview; what I undertook to do in the prisoner's behalf, and your Majesty's reciprocal undertaking with me."
The king was touched in spite of himself at the grief and alarm of the noble youth; the generous instincts in him awoke.
"I remember it all," he said to Gabriel.
"Ah, Sire, thanks!" cried Gabriel, with eyes shining with delight.
But Madame de Poitiers at this moment calmly interposed,—
"Doubtless the king remembers it all, Monsieur d'Exmès; but you yourself seem to have forgotten."