it is a
cult."

"I have noticed it," said Jean-aux-Choux. "In my country we have it
also, with this difference--in Scotland it is for our children's
mothers, chiefly before marriage."

But at this moment they heard the voice of the King within.

"Where is D'Aubigne? Why does he not insure quiet in the house? I have
ridden far and would sleep! Surely even a king may sleep sometimes?"

"Your Majesty, it is I--Anthony Arpajon, the Calvinist, and with me is
John Stirling, the Scot, called Jean-aux-Choux, the Fool of the Three
Henries."

"And what does he want with this Henry--does he jest by day and sing
psalms by night?"

"I have to inform Your Majesty," said Jean-aux-Choux, "that the Duke
d'Epernon is below, and would see the King of Navarre."

Now there was neither blessing nor cursing. The Bearnais did not kiss
the picture of his mother. A scabbard clattered on the stone floor, was
caught deftly, and snapped into its place on his belt.

"Where is my other pistol? Ah, I remember--D'Aubigne took it to clean.
Lend me one of yours, Jean-aux-Choux. Is it primed and loaded?"

"He is with my lady mistress, the daughter of Francis the Scot, and with
him are only the Sorbonne doctor and your cousin D'Albret for all
retinue."

"Oh, ho," said Henry of Navarre, "a lady--more dangerous still. Hold the
candle there, Jean-aux-Choux. I must look less like a hodman and more
like a king."

And he drew from his inner pocket a little glass that fitted a frame,
and a pocket-comb, with which he arranged his locks and the curls of his
beard with a care at which the stout Calvinist, Anthony Arpajon, chafed
and fumed.

"It is for the sake of his mother," whispered Jean in his ear, to
comfort him, after the King had finished at last and signified that he
was ready to descend. "She taught him that cleanliness is next to
godliness," said Jean, "and now, when he is a man, the habit clings to
him still."

"If he were somewhat less of a man," said the Calvinist, in the same
whisper, "he would be the better king."

"Ah, wait," said Jean-aux-Choux--"wait till you have seen him on a
battle-front, and you will be sure that, for all his faults, there never
was a more manly man or a kinglier king!"

CHAPTER XIII.

A MIDNIGHT COUNCIL

The Bearnais met D'Epernon in the inner dining-room of Master Anthony's
house. His servants had hastily lighted a few wax candles. In the
waggon-littered courtyard without, a torch or two flame