"Yes, but who have been sent to him?" retorted Mary,—"those who took no interest in the matter, or even his enemies, perhaps. But I sent a trusted friend to him, and he will come."
"It will take some time for him to come from Paris," observed Catherine.
"He is on the way; in fact, he ought to have arrived," rejoined the young queen. "The friend of whom I spoke promised to bring him here to-day."
"Who is this mysterious friend, pray?" asked the queen-mother.
"Comte Gabriel de Montgommery, Madame."
Before Catherine had time to utter a word, Dayelle, Mary's first lady-in-waiting, came in and said to her mistress,—
"Comte Gabriel de Montgommery is below, and awaits Madame's commands."
"Oh, let him come in! let him come in!" cried Mary, eagerly.