"But in that case," said Le Balafré, "it would be necessary to order Monsieur de Montgommery's arrest at once, Madame, as a regicide."
"Monsieur de Montgommery has been under arrest since morning," said Catherine.
"Under arrest! And upon whose order, pray!" cried the Duc de Guise.
"Upon mine," replied the queen-mother. "There was no regularly constituted authority at that time, and I took it upon myself to issue that order. Monsieur de Montgommery might take flight at any moment, and it was of the utmost importance to prevent it. He has been brought to the Louvre without disturbance or excitement. I ask you, my son, to question him."
Without waiting for permission, she touched a bell, as the Duc de Guise had done two hours earlier. But this time Le Balafré scowled heavily; a storm was brewing.
"Order the prisoner to be brought hither," said Catherine to the usher who appeared.
There was an embarrassing silence when the usher had left the room. The king seemed undecided, Mary Stuart anxious, and the Duc de Guise very much displeased. The queen-mother alone affected an air of dignity and assurance.
The Duc de Guise alone broke the silence with these words,—
"It seems to me that if Monsieur de Montgommery had desired to make his escape, nothing would have been easier during the last fortnight."
Catherine had no time to reply, for Gabriel was led in at that moment.