"
But Sully, overwhelmed, could only gasp and ejaculate.
"You had not thought of it, eh? Yet it is clear enough Spain
builds on my death. And who are the friends of Spain here in
France? Who was it intrigued with Spain in such a way and to
such ends as in my lifetime could never have been carried to an
issue? Ha! You see."
"I cannot, sire. It is too horrible. It is impossible!" cried
that loyal, honest gentleman. "And yet if you are convinced of
it, you should break off this coronation, your journey, and your
war. If you wish it so, it is not difficult to satisfy you."
"Ay, that is it." He came to his feet, and gripped the duke's
shoulder in his strong, nervous hand. "Break off this coronation,
and never let me hear of it again. That will suffice. Thus I can
rid my mind of apprehensions, and leave Paris with nothing to
fear."
"Very well. I will send at once to Notre Dame and to St. Denis,
to stop the preparations and dismiss the workmen."
"Ah, wait." The eyes that for a moment had sparkled with new
hope, grew dull again; the lines of care descended between the
brows. "Oh, what to decide! What to decide! It is what I wish, my
friend. But how will my wife take it?"
"Let her take it as she will.
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