"That is too obvious, monsieur," snapped the elderly, prudent and
virtuous countess. "Nevertheless, whilst in France perhaps
monsieur will perceive the convenience of conforming to French
customs. Let me call for a chair for Monsieur le Duc."

"I do not want a chair, madame."

The countess cast her eyes to Heaven, as if to say, "I suppose
one cannot expect anything else in a foreigner," and let him
kneel as he insisted, placing herself, however, protectingly at
the Queen's pillow.

Nevertheless, entirely unabashed, heeding Madame de Lannoi's
presence no more than if she had been part of the room's
furniture, the Duke delivered himself freely of what was in his
mind. He had been obliged to return to Amiens on a matter of
State. It was unthinkable that he should be so near to her
Majesty and not hasten to cast himself at her feet; and whilst
gladdening the eyes of his body with the sight of her matchless
perfection, the image of which was ever before the eyes of his
soul, allow himself the only felicity life now held for him--that
of protesting himself her utter slave. This, and much more of the
kind, did he pour out, what time the Queen, embarrassed and
annoyed beyond utterance, could only stare at him in silence.

Apart from the matchless impudence of it, it was also of a
rashness beyond pardon. Unless Madame de Lannoi were the most
circumspect of women, here was a fine tale for Court gossips, and
for the King's ears, a tale that must hopelessly compromise the