hat
difficult business."

As he spoke, Imbert de Bastarnay, sire of Montresor and Bridore, rapped
softly on the royal door. On receiving the king's permission he entered
and announced the Comte and Comtesse de Saint-Vallier. Louis XI. made
a sign. Marie appeared, followed by her old husband, who allowed her to
pass in first.

"Good-day, my children," said the king.

"Sire," replied his daughter in a low voice, as she embraced him, "I
want to speak to you in secret."

Louis XI. appeared not to have heard her. He turned to the door and
called out in a hollow voice, "Hola, Dufou!"

Dufou, seigneur of Montbazon and grand cup-bearer of France, entered in
haste.

"Go to the maitre d'hotel, and tell him I must have salt mackerel for
dinner. And go to Madame de Beaujeu, and let her know that I wish to
dine alone to-day. Do you know, madame," continued the king, pretending
to be slightly angry, "that you neglect me? It is almost three years
since I have seen you. Come, come here, my pretty," he added, sitting
down and holding out his arms to her. "How thin you have grown! Why have
you let her grow so thin?" said the king, roughly, addressing the Comte
de Poitiers.

The jealous husband cast so frightened a look at his wife that she
almost pitied him.

"Happiness, sire!" he stammered.

"Ah! you love each other too much,--is that it?" said the king,
holding his daughter between his knees. "I did right to call you
Mary-full-of-grace. Coyctier, leave us! Now, then, what do you want
of me?" he said to his daughter the moment the doctor had gone. "After
sending me your--"

In this danger, Marie boldly put her hand on the king's lips and said in
his ear,--

"I always thought you cautious and penetrating."

"Saint-Vallier," said the king, laughing, "I think that Bridore has
something to say to you."

The count left the room; but he made a gesture with his shoulders well
known to his wife, who could guess the thoughts of the jealous man, and
knew she must forestall his cruel designs.

"Tell me, my child, how do you think I am,--hey? Do I seem changed to
you?"

"Sire, do you want me to tell you the real truth, or would you rather I
deceived you?"

"No," he said, in a low voice, "I want to know truly what to expect."

"In that case, I think you look very ill to-day; but you will not let my
truthfulness injure the success of my cause, will you?"

"What is your cause?" asked the king, frowning and passing a hand acro