'You fear, sire, lest, having accepted my master's offer and conquered your enemies, you should not be easily rid of him.' Henry looked relieved.

'Do you call that diplomacy ?' he said with a smile.

'However, what if it be so?
What do you say to it?
Methinks I have heard an idle tale about a horse which would hunt a stag; and for the purpose set a man upon its back.' 'This I say, sire, first,' Rosny answered very earnestly.

'That the King of Navarre is popular only with one-third of the kingdom, and is only powerful when united with you.

Secondly, sire, it is his interest to support the royal power, to which he is heir.