“The offer is his, and the reflections are mine,” Tavannes answered dryly. “Let me add one more. The Admiral is dead. The King of Navarre and the Prince of Condé are prisoners. Who is now to balance the Italians and the Guises? The Grand Master—if he be wise and content to give the law to France from the citadel of Rochelle.”
Biron stared at the speaker in astonishment at his frankness.
“You are a bold man,” he cried at last. “But timeo Danaos et dona ferentes,” he continued bitterly. “You offer, sir, too much.”
“The offer is the King’s.”
“And the conditions? The price?”
“That you remain quiet, M. de Biron.”
“In the Arsenal?”
“In the Arsenal. And do not too openly counteract the King’s will. That is all.”
The Grand Master looked puzzled. “I will give up no one,” he said. “No one! Let that be understood.”
“The King requires no one.”