"But when the motive is such an important and urgent one?" said the cardinal.
"Upon no pretext whatever shall any one on earth awaken the king," repeated Mary, firmly.
"Ah, but it must be done!" retorted the cardinal, ashamed at last of having been so long delayed by the unaided resistance of a mere child, and she his niece. "The interests of State, Madame, are not consistent with these sentimental considerations. The king's signature is essential to me at once; and I will have it."
"You shall not have it, Monsieur le Cardinal," replied Mary.
The cardinal took a step toward the king's bedside, but again Mary Stuart faced him and barred his passage.
The queen and the minister looked in each other's eyes for an instant, each as excited and angry as the other.
"I will pass," said Charles de Lorraine, in a quick, short voice.
"Do you dare to lay your hand upon me, Monsieur?"
"My niece!"
"Your niece no longer, but your queen!"