But before he could answer, the host, bowing to the floor, came to announce that all was ready, and that the Provost of the City, for whom M.le Comte had sent, was in waiting below.
"Let him come up!" Tavannes answered, grave and frowning.

"And see you, close the room, sirrah! My people will wait on us.

Ah!" as the Provost, a burly man, with a face framed for jollity, but now pale and long, entered and approached him with many salutations.

"How comes it, M.le Prevot--you are the Prevot, are you not ?" "Yes, M.le Comte." "How comes it that so great a crowd is permitted to meet in the streets?
And that at my entrance, though I come unannounced, I find half of the city gathered together ?" The Provost stared.

"Respect, M.le Comte," he said, "for His Majesty's letters, of which you are the bearer, no doubt induced some to come together." "Who said I brought letters ?" "Who-- ?" "Who said I brought letters ?" Count Hannibal repeated in a strenuous voice.