It was one of the things Henry delighted to do, for, endowed with
the easiest manners, and able in a moment to exchange the
formality of the Louvre for the freedom of the camp, he could
give to such cheap favours their full value. He consented on the
instant, therefore; and turning our horses into a by-road, we
sauntered down it with no greater attendance than a couple of
pages.
The sun was near setting, and its rays, which still gilded the
tree-tops, left the wood below pensive and melancholy. The house
stood in a solitary place on the edge of the forest, half a mile
from Poissy; and these two things had their effect on my mind. I
began to wish that we had brought with us half a troop of horse,
or at least two or three gentlemen; and, startled by the thought
of the unknown chances to which, out of mere idle curiosity, I
was exposing the King, I would gladly have turned back. But
without explanation I could not do so; and while I hesitated
Henry cried out gaily that we were there.
A short avenue of limes led from the forest road to the door.
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