is moment
endeavoring to escape the fate of Charles the Simple, who was robbed of
his crown, and died in prison after seven years' captivity."

"Charles V. conquered the English," she cried triumphantly.

"No, not he, but du Guesclin. He himself, poisoned by Charles de
Navarre, dragged out a wretched existence."

"Well, Charles IV., then?"

"He married three times to obtain an heir, in spite of the masculine
beauty of the children of Philippe le Bel. The first house of Valois
ended with him, and the second is about to end in the same way. The
queen has given me only a daughter, and I shall die without leaving
her pregnant; for a long minority would be the greatest curse I could
bequeath to the kingdom. Besides, if I had a son, would he live? The
name of Charles is fatal; Charlemagne exhausted the luck of it. If I
left a son I would tremble at the thought that he would be Charles X."

"Who is it that wants to seize your crown?"

"My brother d'Alencon conspires against it. Enemies are all about me."

"Monsieur," said Marie, with a charming little pout, "do tell me
something gayer."

"Ah! my little jewel, my treasure, don't call me 'monsieur,' even in
jest; you remind me of my mother, who stabs me incessantly with that
title, by which she seems to snatch away my crown. She says 'my son' to
the Duc d'Anjou--I mean the king of Poland."

"Sire," exclaimed Marie, clasping her hands as though she were praying,
"there is a kingdom where you are worshipped. Your Majesty fills it with
his glory, his power; and there the word 'monsieur,' means 'my beloved
lord.'"

She unclasped her hands, and with a pretty gesture pointed to her heart.
The words were so _musiques_ (to use a word of the times which depicted
the melodies of love) that Charles IX. caught her round the waist with
the nervous force that characterized him, and seated her on his knee,
rubbing his forehead gently against the pretty curls so coquettishly
arranged. Marie thought the moment favorable; she ventured a few kisses,
which Charles allowed rather than accepted, then she said softly:--

"If my servants were not mistaken you were out all night in the streets,
as in the days when you played the pranks of a younger son."

"Yes," replied the king, still lost in his own thoughts.

"Did you fight the watchman and frighten some of the burghers? Who are
the men you brought here and locked up? They must be very criminal, as
you won't allow any communication wit