metimes."

Louis XI. returned and seated himself, saying, with a smile,--

"Ah! here they have only got as far as the bailiffs."

At that instant Olivier le Daim returned. He was followed by two pages,
who bore the king's toilet articles; but what struck Louis XI. was that
he was also accompanied by the provost of Paris and the chevalier of
the watch, who appeared to be in consternation. The spiteful barber
also wore an air of consternation, which was one of contentment beneath,
however. It was he who spoke first.

"Sire, I ask your majesty's pardon for the calamitous news which I
bring."

The king turned quickly and grazed the mat on the floor with the feet of
his chair,--

"What does this mean?"

"Sire," resumed Olivier le Daim, with the malicious air of a man who
rejoices that he is about to deal a violent blow, "'tis not against the
bailiff of the courts that this popular sedition is directed."

"Against whom, then?"

"Against you, sire?'

The aged king rose erect and straight as a young man,--

"Explain yourself, Olivier! And guard your head well, gossip; for I
swear to you by the cross of Saint-Lo that, if you lie to us at this
hour, the sword which severed the head of Monsieur de Luxembourg is not
so notched that it cannot yet sever yours!"

The oath was formidable; Louis XI. had only sworn twice in the course of
his life by the cross of Saint-Lo.

Olivier opened his mouth to reply.

"Sire--"

"On your knees!" interrupted the king violently. "Tristan, have an eye
to this man."

Olivier knelt down and said coldly,--

"Sire, a sorceress was condemned to death by your court of parliament.
She took refuge in Notre-Dame. The people are trying to take her from
thence by main force. Monsieur the provost and monsieur the chevalier of
the watch, who have just come from the riot, are here to give me the lie
if this is not the truth. The populace is besieging Notre-Dame."

"Yes, indeed!" said the king in a low voice, all pale and trembling with
wrath. "Notre-Dame! They lay siege to our Lady, my good mistress in
her cathedral!--Rise, Olivier. You are right. I give you Simon Radin's
charge. You are right. 'Tis I whom they are attacking. The witch is
under the protection of this church, the church is under my protection.
And I thought that they were acting against the bailiff! 'Tis against
myself!"

Then, rendered young by fury, he began to walk up and down with long
strides. He no longer laughed, he