Part 33 (1/2)

”'Well, Le Brusquet, have you lost your ape, or has some jest failed you?--you look so sad.”

”'Neither, madame,' I answered; 'but I have lost my heart.'

”'Tell me,' she said, 'who is it? Is it La Beauce?--or, perhaps, Madame de Montal?'

”'Neither, madame; it has strayed much higher.'

”She laughed at my speech, and was about to reply, but stopped, for at that moment the curtain lifted, and the King entered the room. He seemed in the best of spirits; nothing affects him for long.

”'_Bon jour_, Le Brusquet!' He gave me his hand to kiss. 'What news have you brought me this morning?'

”'A bagful, sire, for I supped with Crequy over-night.'

”'Then you shall open the bag whilst I breakfast, for I am famished.'

And, slipping his arm through Diane's he led her to the table. I settled myself on a stool near the window, whilst Diane gave his soup to the King, contenting herself with some fruit, which she picked at like a bird. Through the heavy curtains and the closed door we could hear the hum of voices from the anterooms coming to us like the distant murmurs of the sea. For some little time the King ate in silence, whilst Diane and I exchanged a few laughing words. Finally he finished his last sippet of bread steeped in soup, pushed aside his plate, helped himself to a plum, and looked around him.

”'How!' he exclaimed. 'No roses in the room this morning!'

”'You are in error, sire,' I said. 'I have never seen finer roses than I do now.'

”'Where?' he asked, looking around.

”But I only looked at La Valentinois, and this time she was red enough.

She can blush at will, I believe. Strange that behind so fair a face lies so twisted a soul! And as the King followed my glance the blush on her cheek became deeper and deeper.

”'_Ma pet.i.te_,' and he pinched her ear, 'I find I have a rival. I shall have to send him to the Chatelet.' Whereat every one laughed, and Pompon, hearing the sounds, hopped in through the window, and helped himself to another plum.

”'Ah, bandit!' And the King flung a sippet of toast after him as he added: 'I am hedged in with robbers.'

”'That is true, sire,' I said gravely.

”'You heard that at Crequy's last night.' And there was a sharp note in Diane's voice.

”'Oh yes; and much worse.'

”'Come, tell us!' said the King.

”'Sire, you will remember that Monsieur Joue and Monsieur d'Arbois are inveterate gossips.'

”'I will not forget. Well, what did these gentlemen say?'

”'Amongst other things, that your Majesty would totally cancel the edicts you have suspended, and freely pardon all the Christaudins.'

”I had risked my shot, and now awaited the result. It had hit its mark, I knew, for the King began to hum and haw, and Diane gave me a look from those blue-black eyes of hers. It is wonderful how their expression can change. They seemed to grow small, with a hard, pitiless look in them, and little cobwebs of wrinkles gathered near her temples.

”'It would be madness!--folly!' And her foot kept tapping the carpet.

”'Caraffa and Lorraine are right; it would be a sin.' And the King crossed himself. 'No, no! I will purge the land of its heresy. You have proved their disloyalty to me, Diane. Scarce three weeks have pa.s.sed since the edicts were suspended, and see what head these Huguenots make! But I will let them see that I am King!'

”And Diane bent forward and kissed his cheek.