'
Everybody bowed assent, but the young man himself began, with some
impetuosity: 'Madame will believe me that I had not the slightest
political intention. I spoke simply as a matter of history.'
'I am perfectly aware of it, Monsieur,' returned the Marquise; 'but
all the world does not understand as well as I do how one may be
carried away by the fervour of imagination to identify oneself and
one's surroundings with those of which one speaks.'
'Madame is very severe on the absent,' said M. Darpent.
'Monsieur thinks I have inferred more treason than he has spoken,'
said Madame de Rambouillet gaily. 'Well, be it so; I am an old
woman, and you, my friend, have your career yet to come, and I would
have you remember that though the great Cesar be dead, yet the bodkin
was not in his time.'
'I understand, Madame, after the lion comes the fox. I thank you for
your warning until the time---'
'Come, come, we do not intend to be all undone in the meantime,'
exclaimed Madame de Rambouillet. 'Come, who will give us a
vaudeville or something joyous to put out the grand serious, and send
us home gay. My dear Countess,' and she turned to a bright-looking
young lady, 'relate to us, I entreat of you, one of your charming
fairy tales.'
And the Countess d'Aulnoy, at her request, seated herself in a large
arm-chair, and told us with infinite grace the story I have so often
told you, my grandchildren, of the White Cat and the three princes.
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