fatigue. If he, a prince of the House of France, weds with me, a
daughter of the King of Spain, there will be peace. Great good will be
done through all the world."

"I do not care--I do not care," cried Claire, "let him first come and
tell me himself."

"But he cannot, I tell you," said the other quietly; "he is in the
prison of Tarragona!"

"Well, then, let him write!" said Claire, "why does he not write?"

Valentine la Nina produced a piece of paper, and handed it to Claire
without a word. It was in John d'Albret's clear, clerkly hand. Claire
and he had capped verses too often together by the light of Madame
Granier's pine-cones for any mistake. She knew it instantly.

"Whatever this lady says is true, and if you have any feeling
in your heart for your father, or love for me, do as she bids
you!

"JEAN D'ALBRET DE BOURBON."

Three times Claire read the message to make sure.

Then she spoke. "What do you wish me to do? I am ready!"

"You will give this man up to me?"

"He never was mine to give, but if he had been, he is free to
go--because he wills it!"

"I put my life in danger for him now--every moment I stay here," said
Valentine la Nina; "Jean-aux-Choux will tell you so. Will you walk to
the gates of death with me to deliver him whom you love?"

"I will," said Claire, "I will obey you--that is, I will obey him
through you!"

"This you do for the love you bear to the man whom you give up to me?"

"For what else?" cried Claire, the tears starting in her eyes. "Surely
an honest girl may love a man? She may be ready even to give her life
for him. But--she will not hold him against his will!"

"Then you will come with me to my father, the King of Spain?" Valentine
persisted. "Perhaps--I do not know--he will pardon Jean d'Albret at our
request--perhaps he will send us, all three, to the fires of the
Inquisition. That also I do not know!"

"And I do not care!" cried Claire; "I will come!"

"For his sake alone?" queried Valentine, resolved to test the girl to
the uttermost.

"For whose else?" cried Claire at last, exasperated; "not for yours, I
suppose! Nor yet for mine own! I have been searched for by your
Inquisition bloodhounds before now. He saved me from that!"

"And I--all of you!" said Valentine la Nina to herself. "But the price
is somewhat heavy!"

Nevertheless, she had found Claire worthy.

CHAPTER XLVI.

KING AND KING'S DAUGHTER

Upon the high, black,