"Madame," said Cellini, in an undertone, "you cannot in conscience leave the Seigneur de Nesle at the Châtelet; it was well enough for Ascanio."
Madame d'Etampes called an officer of the guards, and whispered a few words, the concluding ones being these:—
"In the king's name!"
"What are you doing, madame?" demanded François.
"Madame d'Etampes is simply sending a messenger for the bridegroom that is to be, Sire," interposed Cellini.
"Where?"
"Where Madame d'Etampes, who knew the king's kindness of heart, bade him await your Majesty's pleasure."
Fifteen minutes later, the door of the apartment opened, in which were assembled Colombe, the provost, D'Orbec, the Spanish ambassador, and almost the whole court, except Marmagne, who was still confined to his bed. An usher cried,—
"The king!"
François I. entered, leading Diane de Poitiers, and followed by Benvenuto, upon one of whose arms was leaning the Duchesse d'Etampes, and on the other Ascanio, each of them being as pale as the other.