The Strangled Queen Read Online Free PDF Page B

your turn to go and sleep, my good Lormet," said Artois; "but before you do, go and find me the Chaplain."
    3. Shall She be Queen?
    THE disgraced Dominican came at once, much, agitated at being sent for personally by so important a lord.
    "Brother," Artois said to him, "you must know Madame Marguerite well, since you are her confessor. In what lies the weakness of her character?"
    "The flesh, Monseigneur," replied the Chaplain, modestly lowering his eyes.
    "We know that already! But in what else? Has her nature no emotional facet, no side upon which we can bring pressure to bear to force her to accept a certain course, which is not only to her own interest but to that of the kingdom?
    "I can see nothing, Monseigneur. I can see no weakness in her except upon the one point I have already mentioned. The Princess's spirit is as hard as a sword and even prison has not blunted its edge. Oh, belie ve me, she is no easy penitent! "
    His hands in his sleeves, his broad brow bent, he was trying to appear both pious and clever at once. His tonsure had not been renewed for some time, and the skin of his skull showed blue above the thin circle of black hair.
    Artois remained thoughtful for a moment, scratching his cheek because the Chaplain's skull made him think of his, beard which was beginning to grow.
    "As to the subject you have mentioned," he went on, "what has she found here in satisfaction of her particular weakness, since that appears to be the term you use for that form of vitality."
    "As far as I know, none, Monseigneur."
    "Bersumee'? Does he ever visit her for rather over-long periods?"
    "Never, Monseigneur, I can vouch for that." "And what about yourself?"
    "Oh! Monseigneur!" cried the Chaplain, crossing himself.
    "All right, all right!" said Artois. "It would not be the first time that such things have been known to happen, one is acquainted with more than one member of your cloth who, his soutane removed, feels himself to be a man like another. For my part I see nothing wrong in it; indeed, to tell you the truth, I see in it matter, for praise rather. What of her cousin? Do the two women console each other from time to time?
    "Oh! Monseigneur ! " said the Chaplain, pretending to be more and more horrified. "What you are asking me could only be a secret of the confessional."
    Artois gave the Chaplain's shoulder a li ttle friendly slap which nearly sent him staggering to the wall for support.
    "Now, now, Messire Chaplain,' don't be ridiculous," he cried. -"
    If you have been sent to a prison as officiating priest, it is not in order that you sho uld keep such secrets, but that you should repeat them to those authorised to hear them."
    "Neither Madame Marguerite,' nor Madame Blanche,"said the Chaplain in a low voice, "have ever confessed to me of being culpable of anything of the kind, except in dreams."
    "Which does not prove that they are innocent, but merely that they are secretive. Can you write?"
    "Certainly, Monseigneur."
    "Well, well!" said Artois with an air of astonishment. "Apparently all monks are not so damned ignorant as is generally supposed! Very well, Messire Chaplain, you will take parchment, pens, and everything you need to scratch down words, and you will wai t at the base of the Princesses tower, ready to come up when I call you. You will make as much haste as you can."
    The Chaplain bowed; he seemed to have something more to say, but Artois had already donned his great scarlet cloak and was on his way out. The Chaplain hurried out behind him.
    "Monseigneur! Monseigneur ! " he said in a very obsequious voice. "Would you have the very great kindness, if I am not offending you by making such a request, would you have the immense kindness to say to Brother Renaud, the Grand Inquisitor, if it should so happen that you should see him, that I am still his obedient son, and ask him not to forget me in this fortress for too long, where indeed I do my duty as best I may since God has placed me here, but I have