Gabriel had not time to conclude, for at that moment the door opened and the Comte de Saint-Remy entered, attended by a number of nobles attached to the Guise party.
"His Majesty awaits the lieutenant-general of the kingdom at the council-board," said Saint-Remy.
"I am at your service, gentlemen," rejoined the duke, saluting the new-comers.
Then turning quickly to Gabriel, he said in a low voice,—
"I must leave you now, my friend, as you see; but the unspeakably magnificent scheme which you have thrown into my brain will not leave me the whole day, I promise you. If you really think such a project can be executed, I believe I am capable of understanding you. Can you return here this evening at eight? We shall have the whole night to ourselves without fear of interruption."
"I will be prompt to the hour," said Gabriel, "and I will make good use of my time meanwhile."
"I make bold to remind Monseigneur that it is now after two," said the Comte de Saint-Remy.
"I am here; I am quite ready!" the duke responded.
He took a few steps toward the door, then turned and looked at Gabriel, and approaching him once more, as if to be sure that he had understood him aright,—
"Take Calais?" he said again in a low voice, and with a sort of questioning inflection.