the King's teeth and cry, 'Et tu, Carole!' Swim, swim in blood if you
will," he continued, with growing wildness. "Oh, 'twill be a merry
night! And it's true so far, you may kill fleas all day, but burn the
coat, and there's an end. So burn it, burn it, and--" He broke off with
a start as he discovered Tavannes at his elbow. "God's death, man!" he
cried roughly, "who sent for you?"

"Your Majesty called me," Tavannes answered; while, partly urged by the
King's hand, and partly anxious to escape, the others slipped into the
closet and left them together.

"I sent for you? I called your brother, the Marshal!"

"He is within, sire," Tavannes answered, indicating the closet. "A
moment ago I heard his voice."

Charles passed his shaking hand across his eyes. "Is he?" he muttered.
"So he is! I heard it too. And--and a man cannot be in two places at
once!" Then, while his haggard gaze, passing by Tavannes, roved round
the Chamber, he laid his hand on Count Hannibal's breast. "They give me
no peace, Madame and the Guises," he whispered, his face hectic with
excitement. "They will have it. They say that Coligny--they say that he
beards me in my own palace. And--and, _mordieu_," with sudden violence,
"it's true. It's true enough! It was but to-day he was for making terms
with me! With me, the King! Making terms! So it shall be, by God and
Devil, it shall! But not six or seven! No, no. All! All! There shall
not be one left to say to me, 'You did it!'"

"Softly, sire," Tavannes answered; for Charles had gradually raised his
voice. "You will be observed."