“And what of Saint-Vallier?” demanded the king.
“Sire, he is to be deprived of his possessions, to be degraded from his rank, to be put to the torture, and afterwards beheaded at the Place de Grève.”
“A just and proper sentence,” remarked François. “All the others should have been served in like manner.”
“It rests with your majesty to appoint the day for Saint-Vallier's execution,” said the messenger.
“I will think of it,” replied François. And the messenger quitted the presence.
Shortly afterwards, another messenger arrived, bringing a letter from the Duchesse d'Angoulême to the king, her son, in which she urged him not to show any clemency to Saint-Vallier. “Be firm on this point,” she wrote. “Too much leniency has been shown towards the conspirators by the Parliament, and if a severe example be not made of some of them, it will be an incitement to rebellion. Strong efforts, I know, will be made to induce you to pardon Saint-Vallier, but do not yield to the solicitations. The Chancellor Duprat concurs with me in opinion.”
“Shall I take back an answer from your majesty?” said the messenger.
“Say to her highness that I will attend to her counsel,” replied the king, dismissing the messenger.
Somewhat later in the day, while the king was still in his chamber he was informed by an usher that the Comtesse de Maulévrier had just arrived at the château, and besought an immediate interview with him.
François at once granted the request, and Diane de Poitiers was ushered into his presence. Her lovely features bore traces of profound affliction. At a sign from the king, the usher immediately withdrew, and left them alone.