I felt the Regent's
beautiful blue eyes scanning me, but it was not unkindly, though she
said:
'How is this, Madame? I hear that you have taught the peasants to
complain of the seigniorial rights, and to expect to have the corvee
and all other dues remitted.'
I made answer that in truth all I had done was to remit those claims
here and there which had seemed to me to press hard upon the tenants
of our own estate; and I think the Regent was moved by a look from
Father Vincent to demand an example, so I mentioned that I would not
have the poor forced to carry our crops on the only fine day in a wet
season.
'Ah, bah!' said Queen Anne; 'that was an over-refinement, Madame. It
does not hurt those creatures to get wet.'
She really had not the least notion that a wetting ruined their
crops; and when I would have answered, my godmother and mother made
me a sign to hold my tongue, while Queen Henrietta spoke:
'Your Majesty sees how it is; my godchild has the enthusiasm of
charity, and you, my sister, with your surroundings, will not blame
her if she has carried it a little into excess.'
'Your Majesty will pardon me for asking if there can be excess?' said
Father Vincent. 'I think I recognize this lady. Did I not meet
Madame at the little village of St. Felix?'
'Oh yes, my father,' I replied. 'I have ever since blessed the day,
when you comforted me and gave me the key of life.'
'There, father,' said the Regent, 'it is your doing; it is you that
have made her a firebrand.
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