“For what, then, do you need him?”
“To marry me.”
The other stared. “But you are a Catholic,” he said.
“But she is a Huguenot,” Tavannes answered.
The Grand Master did not attempt to hide his astonishment.
“And she sticks on that?” he exclaimed. “To-day?”
“She sticks on that. To-day.”
“To-day? Nom de Dieu! To-day! Well,” brushing the matter aside after a pause of bewilderment, “any way, I cannot help her. I have no minister here. If there be aught else I can do for her—”
“Nothing, I thank you,” Tavannes answered. “Then it only remains for me to take your answer to the King?” And he rose politely, and taking his mask from the table prepared to assume it.
M. de Biron gazed at him a moment without speaking, as if he pondered on the answer he should give. At length he nodded, and rang the bell which stood beside him.