the presence of Mademoiselle de Valois, who uttered a cry on seeing
her lover accompanied by a woman.

"Fear nothing, dear Aglae," said the duke, passing into the room where
she was, and taking her hand, while Bathilde remained motionless in her
place, not daring to move a step till her presence was explained.

"But will you tell me?" began Mademoiselle de Valois, looking at
Bathilde uneasily.

"Directly. You have heard me speak of the Chevalier d'Harmental, have
you not?"

"The day before yesterday you told me that by a word he might save his
own life and compromise you all, but that he would never speak this
word."

"Well, he has not spoken, and he is condemned to death, and is to be
executed to-morrow. This young girl loves him, and his pardon depends on
the regent. Do you understand?"

"Oh, yes!" said Mademoiselle de Valois.

"Come, mademoiselle," said the duke to Bathilde, taking her by the hand;
then, turning again to the princess, "She did not know how to reach your
father, my dear Aglae, and came to me just as I had received your
letter. I had to thank you for the good advice you gave me; and, as I
know your heart, I thought I should please you by showing my gratitude,
in offering you an opportunity to save the life of a man to whose
silence you probably owe my own."

"And you were right, duke. You are welcome, mademoiselle. What can I do
for you?"

"I wish to see the regent," said Bathilde, "and your highness can take
me to him."

"Will you wait for me, duke?" asked Mademoiselle de Valois uneasily.

"Can you doubt it?"

"Then go into the closet, lest any one should surprise you here. I will
take mademoiselle to my father, and return directly."

"I will wait," said the duke, following the instructions of the princess
and entering the closet. Mademoiselle de Valois exchanged some low words
with her lover, locked the closet, put the key in her pocket, and
holding out her hand to Bathilde--

"Mademoiselle," said she, "all women who love are sisters; Armand and
you did well to rely upon me; come."

Bathilde kissed the hand she held out, and followed her. They passed
through all the rooms facing the Palais Royal, and then, turning to the
left, entered those which looked on the Rue de Valois, among which was
the regent's bedroom.

"We have arrived," said Mademoiselle de Valois, stopping before a door,
and turning to Bathilde, who at this news trembled and turned pale; for
all the strength which h