"  My  son,"  said  the  queen,  with  a  trembling  in  her  voice  so
cleverly  affected  that  the  King  started.
"  What  is  it,  madame  ? "  said  Charles,  turning  round  sud-
denly.
"  My  son,"  replied  Catharine,  '^  I  would  ask  your  leave  to
retire  to  one  of  your  chateaux,  no  matter  which,  so  that  it  be
as  distant  as  possible  from  Paris."


b6  MARGUERITE    DE    VALOIS.
"And  wherefore,  madame  ? ''  inquired  Charles  IX.,  fixing
on  his  mother  that  glassy  eye  which,  on  certain  occasions,
became  so  penetrating.
