A Gentleman from Gascony: A Romance of the Huguenots — page 81: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

FROM FAILURE—SUCCESS. "7 terested in the handsome stranger, and resolved upon the spot to become his champion. Before her angry husband could utter anything fur- ther, she laid one white hand pon his arm. “Sire, two words in private.” The king’s face softened, and he made a gesture te the courtiers surrounding them to retire, a command which was instantly obeyed. Only Raoul remained standing with his eyes glued to the floor, anticipating he knew not what dire punish- ment to fall upon him. “Well, Margot?” said the king. “May I not see this gentleman’s credentials?” Silently the king handed her the paper. As she read it, she broke out into a merry laugh, and at the sound Henri’s stern features relaxed in a smile. “Ah, sire, le pauvre diable! Surely his offence is not. beyond pardon. Andso daring a man would be equally so in your service.” “ But——_”’ began the king. “No buts,” interrupted Marguerite, with a bewitch- ing smile. “ What, after our compact, will you refuse me the first request I make of you?” At the words “ our compact,” the king’s mind reverted to a scene which had taken place between them two days before, in which Marguerite had thrown herself upon his forbearance and frankly avowed that on her part there was no love for the man she had married and that she looked upon their union simply as a political alliance. Although the heart of Henri himself was at first not too deeply affected, he could not but feel a little piqued at this avowal, and perhaps it was the beginning of the love he afterward gave his wife. Just at the moment, Comichoo <S) (E©@)