At eight o'clock on the following morning he sent for Bassompierre, and having caused the attendants to leave the room, he motioned him to kneel down upon the cushion beside his bed, when he assured him that he had been thinking seriously of the propriety of his taking a wife.
"Ah! Sire," said the delighted courtier, perfectly unsuspicious of the real meaning of the monarch, "had not the same unlucky disease under which your Majesty is also suffering attacked the Connetable, I should ere this have been a husband." "No," was the hurried reply, as the King looked steadfastly at his intended victim, "such is not my meaning.

What I desire is to bestow upon you the hand of Mademoiselle d'Aumale, and by this means to revive the duchy of Aumale in your favour." "But I am betrothed, Sire, and cannot take a second wife!" "Bassompierre," said Henry with an emotion which he was unable to conceal, "I have become passionately attached to Mademoiselle de Montmorency.

If you marry her and she loves you, you will be the object of my hatred; while should I, under such circumstances, induce her to love me, you would hate me in your turn.

You are aware of my attachment towards yourself, and it will be far better to avoid this risk by not placing either party in so trying a position.

As regards the lady, I have resolved upon uniting her to my nephew the Prince de Conde, and keeping her at Court.