I not been convinced."

"And why so?"

"Because, sir, I knew your nature--reckless, valiant, ready to risk all,
ay, even your life, when the interests of your country are involved."

"And rightly so. It is as a Valois should act, as a Valois will act to
the end."

"Yes, sir; and yet I dreaded at first to speak, for I foresaw something
of what would happen, since to those who study deeply a vision of the
future is vouchsafed at times, and I realised even then what might be
your resolve--namely, to undertake the perilous quest yourself."

"It was for France."

"Yes, sir--"

And then the King, in a softened voice, said slowly:

"You blame me, Leoni?"

"It is not for such as I to blame. All that you have done, sir, is
good; but there is the future. Of that we will take thought. You are
in a strange land, sir, amidst people who to-morrow may be foes. You
are far from the army which would follow you to death, and to meet the
dangers which may come into your path there are but three swords, three
loyal hearts."

"And they will be enough," said the King. "Leoni, old friend, you must
have no fear."

"I have none, sir."

"Well," said the King, "between ourselves, Leoni, I have. This thing
begins to look more awkward now we are getting so near. King Henry is
always very civil to me in his letters, and no doubt he will give the
Comte de la Loire--"

"Seine, sir--Seine."

"Bah! Yes, of course. I knew it was some river. I say: I mustn't make
such a mistake as that again, or he will find me out. Here, hadn't we
better change the name to something else? Seine--Seine--it's rather a
stupid name."

"Too late, sir," said Leoni earnestly. "You must hold to it now. But
you were about to say something, my lord."

"Yes, of course," cried the King hastily. "Suppose Henry does find me
out, and has got me there. Why, by my sword, Leoni, he'll hold me to
ransom, and instead of my getting back that one jewel he'll make me give
up my whole crown."

"No, sir; no, sir," cried Leoni earnestly. "Have more faith in
yourself, and go forward. You cannot turn back now. You will soon get
used to the part you assume, and it will be easy."

"I don't know so much about that," said the King. "I am a bad actor.
Why, you can't keep it up yourself. If I hadn't stopped you just now
you'd have been down upon your knees to kiss my hand."

"That was only my reverence and duty to my King."

"Yes, I know," said Francis a