indicated her uncertainty, he took the liberty of presenting to
her all the perils to which she would be exposed by such a
meeting, and wishing to make it clear that he was not doing this
in his own interest, he said that if, in spite of all that he had
said she was determined to see the Duc, rather than see her seek
for aid from helpers less faithful than himself, he would bring
the Duc to her. "Yes Madame" he said, "I shall go and find the
Duc and bring him to your apartment, for it is too dangerous to
leave him for long where he is." "But how can this be done?"
interrupted the Princess. "Ha! Madame," cried the Comte, "it is
then decided, since you speak only of the method. I shall lead
him through the park; only order one of your maids whom you can
trust to lower, exactly at midnight, the little drawbridge which
leads from your antechamber to the flower garden and leave the
rest to me." Having said this he rose and without waiting for
any further comment from the Princess, he left, remounted his
horse and went to look for the Duc de Guise, who was waiting for
him with the greatest impatience.

The Princess remained in such a state of confusion that it was
some time before she came to her senses. Her first thought was to
send someone after the Comte to tell him not to bring the Duc,
but she could not bring herself to do so. She then thought that
failing this, she had only not to have the drawbridge lowered,
and she believed that she would continue with this resolve, but
when the hour of the assignation drew near she was no longer able
to resist the desire to see the lover whom she longed for, and
she gave instructions to one of her women on the method by which
the Duc was to be introduced into her apartment.