As
soon as Monsieur l'Hopital saw the true object of the Guises he
determined to support your interests. That is why he is so anxious to
get here and give you his vote at the councils."
"Is he sincere?" asked Catherine. "You know very well that if the
Lorrains have put him in the council it is that he may help them to
reign."
"L'Hopital is a Frenchman who comes of too good a stock not to be
honest and sincere," said Chiverni; "Besides, his note is a
sufficiently strong pledge."
"What answer did the Connetable send to the Guises?"
"He replied that he was the servant of the king and would await his
orders. On receiving that answer the cardinal, to suppress all
resistance, determined to propose the appointment of his brother as
lieutenant-general of the kingdom."
"Have they got as far as that?" exclaimed Catherine, alarmed. "Well,
did Monsieur l'Hopital send me no other message?"
"He told me to say to you, madame, that you alone could stand between
the Crown and the Guises."
"Does he think that I ought to use the Huguenots as a weapon?"
"Ah! madame," cried Chiverni, surprised at such astuteness, "we never
dreamed of casting you into such difficulties.
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