'^•.. THE MAN IN THE IKON MASK. 435 "Come, come, dear little sister," said the king, **tell me your griefs; by the word of a brother, I pity them; by the word of a king, I will terminate them." She raised her fine eyes, and, in a melancholy tone: "It is not my friends who compromise me," said she;
- they are either absent or concealed; they have been brought
into disgrace with your majesty; they, so devoted, so good, so loyal!"
- You say this on account of De Guiche, whom I have ex-
iled, at the desire of Monsieur?" And who, since that unjust exile, had endeavored to get himself killed once every day!" Unjust, do you say, sister?" "So unjust, that if I had not had the respect mixed with friendship that I have always entertained for your majesty " "Well?" "Well, I would have asked my brother Charles, upon whom I can always " The king started. "What then?" "I would have asked him to have had it represented to you that Monsieur and his favorite, Mctosieur le Chevalier de Lorraine, ouglit not with impunity to constitute them- selves the executioners of my honor and my happiness." "The Chevalier de Lorraine," said the king; "that dismal face?" "Is my mortal enemy. While that man lives in my household, where Monsieur retains him and delegates his powers to him, I shall be the most miserable woman in this kingdom." "So," said the king slowly, "you call your brother of England a better friend than I am?" "A ctions speak for thftmsf ^lvfts^ sire." "^d you would prefer going to ask assistance there ^" "To my own country!" said she, with pride; "yes, sire.'* "You are the grandchild of Henry IV. as well as myself, my friend. Cousin and brother-m-law, does not that amount pretty well to the title of brother-germain?" "Then," said Henriette, "act.'* "Let us form an alliance."
- 'Begin."
- I have, you say, unjustly exiled De Guiche.**
- 0h, yes!" said she, blushing.
"De Guiche shall return.'*
