"Is there, indeed? What way is that?" cried the queen-mother, uneasily.
"To have the decree signed by the king."
"By the king!" echoed Catherine. "But can he do it? Has he the right?"
"Yes," replied the cardinal, "we have proceeded thus far in this very matter by the advice of the best jurists, who have declared that the matter may be pushed forward to judgment in spite of the prince's refusal to reply."
"But what will the chancellor say?" cried Catherine, really alarmed.
"He will grumble, as he always does," replied the cardinal, calmly; "he will threaten to resign the seals."
"And if he does really carry out his threat?"
"It will be doubly advantageous, for we shall be well rid of a most inconvenient critic."
"When do you propose that this decree should be signed?" asked Catherine, after a pause.
"To-night, Madame."