I had now an
opportunity of learning whether the girl was, in fact, as
innocent as she seemed, and as every particular of our reception
had declared her; and I watched her closely when Perrot's mode of
address betrayed the King's identity. Suffice it that the vivid
blush which on the instant suffused her face, and the lively
emotion which almost overcame her, left me in no doubt. With a
charming air of bashfulness, and just so much timid awkwardness
as rendered her doubly bewitching, she tried to kneel and kiss
the King's hand. He would not permit this, however, but saluted
her cheek.
"It seems that you were right, sire," she murmured, curtseying in
a pretty confusion, "The princess was not awake."
Henry laughed gaily. "Come now; tell me frankly, Mademoiselle,"
he said. "For whom did you take me?"
"Not for the King, sire," she answered, with a gleam of
roguishness. "You told me that the King was a good man, whose
benevolent impulses were constantly checked--"
"Ah!"
"By M. de Rosny, his Minister.
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