But, sire, the head cannot march without the tail, and ours is
a long tail to drag. Give me more than ten days; we want at least a
month to make our friends hear reason. At the end of that time we
shall be masters."
"A month, so be it! My only negotiator will be Villeroy; trust no one
else, no matter what is said to you."
"One month," echoed the other seigneurs, "that is sufficient."
"Gentlemen, we are five," said the king,--"five men of honor. If any
betrayal takes place, we shall know on whom to avenge it."
The three strangers kissed the hand of Charles IX. and took leave of
him with every mark of the utmost respect. As the king recrossed the
Seine, four o'clock was ringing from the clock-tower of the Louvre.
Lights were on in the queen-mother's room; she had not yet gone to
bed.
"My mother is still on the watch," said Charles to the Comte de
Solern.
"She has her forge as you have yours," remarked the German.
"Dear count, what do you think of a king who is reduced to become a
conspirator?" said Charles IX., bitterly, after a pause.
"I think, sire, that if you would allow me to fling that woman into
the river, as your young cousin said, France would soon be at peace.
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