But I will not tell you more. Come! and I promise to satisfy
you."
And that was all he would say; so that, finding my questions
useless, and the man almost frantic with joy, I had to be content
with it; and at the Queen's hour that evening presented myself in
her gallery, which proved to be unusually full.
Making my way towards her in some doubt of my reception, I found
my worst fears confirmed. She greeted me with a sneering face,
and was preparing, I was sure, to put some slight upon me--a
matter wherein she could always count on the applause of her
Italian servants--when the entrance of the King took her by
surprise. He advanced up the gallery with a listless air, and,
after saluting her, stood by one of the fireplaces talking to
Epernon and La Force. The crowd was pretty dense by this time,
and the hum of talk filled the room when, on a sudden, a voice,
which I recognised as Bassompierre's, was lifted above it.
"Very well!" be cried gaily, "then I appeal to her Majesty. She
shall decide, mademoiselle! No, no; I am not satisfied with your
claim!"
The King looked that way with a frown, but the Queen took the
outburst in good part.
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