George.
CHAPTER XXX
THE NEW MAID OF ORLEANS
(Margaret's Narrative)
I was summoned to the Luxembourg Palace on the Tuesday in Holy Week,
the 25th of March. My dear brother was then apparently much better,
and gaining ground after the attack of hemorrhage caused by his
exertions to save M. Darpent from the violence of his assailants.
He did not appear to need me, since he could not venture to talk more
than a few words at a time; and, besides, my year's absence had left
me in such arrears of waiting that I could not ask for leave of
absence without weighty grounds. My mother was greatly displeased
with me for not having cut short the interview between Darpent and
Annora, although it seemed to have served her purpose by embroiling
them effectually; but she could not overlook so great an impropriety;
and I confess that I was not sorry to avoid her continual entreaties
to me to give up all intercourse alike with the Darpents and Ommneys,
and all our English friends. I had satisfied myself that M. Darpent
was in no danger, and I was willing to let the matter blow over,
since Lady Ommaney, though imprudent, had only done a good-natured
thing from the English point of view.
I found my Princess in great excitement. Cardinal Mazarin had
rejoined the King and Queen, and they were at the head of one army,
the Prince of Conde was at the head of another. The Parliament view
both Cardinal and Prince as rebels, and had set a price upon the
Cardinal's head.
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