had partially destroyed both the inscription and the stone.

Joyeuse knocked at the wicket, and had his horses led away to the Rue
des Marmouzets, fearing that their presence in the street might attract
too much attention.

Then, knocking at the entrance gate, he said, "Will you be good enough
to go and inform Madame la Superieure that Monsieur le Duc de Joyeuse,
Grand Amiral de France, is desirous of speaking to her on behalf of the
king."

The face of the nun who had made her appearance behind the gate blushed
beneath her veil, and she shut the gate.

Five minutes afterward a door was opened, and Joyeuse entered a room,
set apart for the reception of visitors. A beautiful woman, of lofty
stature, made Joyeuse a profound reverence, which the admiral returned
gracefully and respectfully.

"Madame," said he, "the king is aware that you are about to admit, or
that you have already admitted, among the number of the inmates here, a
person with whom I require to speak. Will you be good enough to place me
in communication with that person?"

"Will you tell me the name of the lady you wish to see, monsieur?"

"I am not aware of it."

"In that case, then, how can I possibly accede to your request?"

"Nothing is easier. Whom have you admitted during the last month?"

"You either tell me too precisely, or with not sufficient precision, who
this person is," said the superior, "and I am unable to comply with your
wish."

"Why so?"

"Because, during the last month I have received no one here until this
morning."

"This morning?"

"Yes, Monsieur le Duc, and you can understand that your own arrival, two
hours after hers, has too much the appearance of a pursuit to enable me
to grant you permission to speak to her."

"I implore you, madame."

"Impossible, monsieur."

"Will you merely let me see this lady?"

"Impossible, I repeat. Although your name was sufficient for the doors
of this house to be thrown open before you, yet in order to speak to
any one here, except indeed to myself, a written order from the king is
necessary."

"Here is the order you require, madame," replied Joyeuse, producing the
letter that Henri had signed.

The superior read it and bowed.

"His majesty's will shall be obeyed," she said, "even when it is
contrary to the will of Heaven."

And she advanced toward the courtyard of the convent.

"You now perceive, madame," said Joyeuse, courteously stopping her,
"that I have right on my