Immediately the golden doors were flung open, and Bonnivet entered from
the supper-room, followed by a company of soldiers.
Gonzague turned to Bonnivet, indignant and bewildered. "What does this
mean?" he gasped.
Bonnivet's answer was to salute with his sword, as he announced: "His
majesty the king!" And through the double line of soldiers Louis of
France entered the room with the Princess de Gonzague on his arm.
The king looked with astonishment at the strange scene before him--the
fainting women, the two camps of armed men, the scattered furniture. The
Princess de Gonzague looked only at the girl, who now hung so lovingly
upon the arm of Lagardere.
"Why have I been sent for?" the king asked.
And instantly Lagardere answered him: "To witness my restoration of
Mademoiselle Gabrielle de Nevers to her mother." As he spoke he moved
towards the princess, and gave Gabrielle to her out-stretched arms.
The Princess gave a cry of joy. "She has the face of Louis! She is my
child!"
Gonzague tried to speak, and failed; tried to speak again, and succeeded:
"Your highness, I again declare that I gave the true Gabrielle de Nevers
to her mother. I have the page torn from the register of the chapel of
Caylus in this sealed packet." As he spoke he held out a small sealed
packet, which he had drawn from his breast.