Pere Alexandre Dumas

Marguerite de Valois Pere Alexandre Dumas

Book Excerpt: ..."It is an incredible suggestion. It is absurd.""But if I should give you proof?""It would be impossible.""But it would not. There are four Henrys here, but there is only one Henry of Navarre. You admit that?""Of course. But --""And if Henry of Navarre were in your own room - for the whole night? Would you believe that he loved you then?"Charlotte's eyes fell. It was without raising them that she asked: "You say you would do that?""On my honour I will." She raised shining eyes, in which there was the promise of love, and his heart beat fast with joy. "And what," he asked: "do you say now?""I shall say that your majesty loves me beyond a doubt.""You have a waiting-woman whom you can trust?""Yes. Dariole will do anything for me.""Then tell her that when I am King of France, as the astrologers foretell, there will be a fortune for her."Charlotte smiled, for the prodigality of his Gascon promises had been observ...