“What, Monsieur Briquet?”

“Why, I will give you lessons in fencing for the future.”

“Oh!  I shall be most thankful.”

“And now off with you, my boy, for they are waiting for you impatiently at the priory.”

“True, true.  Thank you, Monsieur Briquet, for having reminded me of it.”

And the little monk disappeared, running as fast as he could.

Chicot had a reason for dismissing his companion.  He had extracted from him all he wished to know, and, on the other hand, there still remained something further for him to learn.  He returned, therefore, as fast as he could to his own house.  The litter, the bearers, and the horse were still at the door of the “Brave Chevalier.”

He regained his gutter without making a noise.

The house opposite to his own was still lighted up, and from that moment all his attention was directed toward it.

In the first place, he observed, by a rent in the curtain, Ernanton walking up and down, apparently waiting with great impatience.

He then saw the litter return, saw Mayneville leave, and, lastly, he saw the duchess enter the room in which Ernanton, palpitating, and throbbing rather than breathing, impatiently awaited her return.

Ernanton kneeled before the duchess, who gave him her white hand to kiss.  She then raised the young man from the ground, and made him sit down before her at a table which was most elegantly served.

“This is very singular,” said Chicot; “It began like a conspiracy, and finishes by a rendezvous.

“Yes,” continued Chicot, “but who appointed this rendezvous?

“Madame de Montpensier.”

And then, as a fresh light flashed through his brain, he murmured, “I entirely approve of your plan with regard to the Forty-five; only allow me to say, dear sister, that you will be conferring a greater honor on those fellows than they deserve.”

“Ventre de biche!” exclaimed Chicot, “I return to my original idea,—­it is not a love affair, but a conspiracy.

“Madame la Duchesse de Montpensier is in love with Monsieur Ernanton de Carmainges; let us watch over this love affair of Madame la Duchesse.”

And Chicot watched until midnight had long passed, when Ernanton hastened away, his cloak concealing his face, while Madame la Duchesse de Montpensier returned to her litter.

“Now,” murmured Chicot, as he descended his own staircase, “what is that chance of death which is to deliver the Duc de Guise from the presumptive heir of the crown? who are those defunct persons who were thought to be dead, but are still living?

“Mordioux!  I shall trace them before long.”

CHAPTER LXXXIV.

Le cardinal de Joyeuse.

Youth has its obstinate resolutions, both as regards good and evil in the world, which are by no means inferior to the inflexibility of purpose of maturer years.