“Never!” exclaimed François, rising. “I will remain in thraldom all my days rather than consent to this indignity. I agree to restore Bourbon's possessions, and will indemnify him for all his losses, but I will not dismember France in order to create a kingdom for him. Even if I were disposed to yield, the laws of the State are opposed to any such alienation, and would prevent it.”
“I will take my chance of that,” remarked Bourbon, sternly. “What has been gained by the sword can be maintained by the sword. The condition must be subscribed.”
“The king agrees,” said Marguerite, as François, by her persuasion, sat down again.
At a sign front the Emperor, Gattinara went on.
“Your majesty shall re-establish the Seigneur de Pomperant, and all the other partisans of the Duke de Bourbon, in their possessions. And you shall release the Prince of Orange, who has been confined in the castle of Lusignan, and deprived of his possessions for his zeal towards the Emperor.”
“To the latter condition I unhesitatingly agree,” said François.
“Lastly,” said Gattinara, “your majesty shall pay to the King of England five hundred thousand crowns, and to his Imperial Majesty as a ransom two millions.”
“These are onerous conditions, sire,” said François, as the chancellor concluded.
“They appear hard now, but you will not think them so when you are at liberty, brother,” said the Emperor.
“Neither will you be bound by them,” whispered Marguerite. “The violence offered releases you from all engagements.”