Pericard was some time gone; Guise was in a hurry, and, "Be kind enough," he said to M.de Morfontaines, "to send word to M.de Saint-Prix [first groom of the chamber to Henry III.], that I beg him to let me have a few damsons or a little preserve of roses, or some trifle of the king's." Four Brignolles plums were brought him; and he ate one.

His uneasiness continued; the eye close to his scar became moist; according to M.de Thou, he bled at the nose.

He felt in his pocket for a handkerchief to use, but could not find one.
"My people," said he, "have not given me my necessaries this morning: there is great excuse for them; they were too much hurried." At his request, Saint-Prix had a handkerchief brought to him.

Pericard passed his bonbon-box to him, as the guards would not let him enter again.

The duke took a few plums from it, threw the rest on the table, saying, "Gentlemen, who will have any ?" and rose up hurriedly upon seeing the secretary of state Revol, who came in and said to him, "Sir, the king wants you; he is in his old cabinet." As soon as he knew that the Duke of Guise had arrived, and whilst these little incidents were occurring in the council-chamber, Henry III.