Page:Dumas - Tales of Strange adventure (Methuen, 1907).djvu/48

36 Provence, whom he disliked, "since when, pray, have the sons of France or their wives been used to write letters to the King instead of appearing in person at his 'lever'?"

"Presumably the letter will give Your Majesty the reason for this breach of etiquette."

"Get the letter, Duke, and give it me."

The Duke bowed and left the presence; then returning in a moment and handing the letter to the King, "Sire," he said, "do not forget that I am Madame du Barry's friend, and that by anticipation I constitute myself her advocate."

The King threw a glance at Richelieu and opened the letter. His face darkened perceptibly as he mastered the contents.

"Oh!" he muttered, "this is going too far; you have undertaken a thankless task, Duke. Upon my word, Madame du Barry is a perfect madwoman."

Then turning towards the officers of his household, " Go some of you this very instant and greet Madame de Rosen from me; ask after her health and tell her I will receive her immediately after my 'lever,' before going to mass. Poor Marquise! dear little woman!"

Each looked at the other. Was a new planet about to rise on the horizon of Royal favour? Nothing more likely. The Marquise was young and pretty. Appointed twelve months before this date a lady in attendance on Madame de Provence she had struck up an intimacv with the reigning favourite and attended all her private entertainments, where the King had often seen her. However, at the instigation of the Princess, who felt aggrieved at these friendly relations, she had suddenly left off frequenting Madame du Barry's society, whereat the latter had exhibited no small annoyance. So much the Count already knew. The present letter, the contents of which were a secret to everybody else, had affected the King profoundly. He looked thoughtful, spoke only a word or two to a few special intimates, and dismissed the company sooner than usual, after bidding Monsieur de Chauvelin to remain behind. The ceremonial ended, everybody quitted the King's chamber, and his Majesty being informed that Madame de Rosen was at the door, he ordered her to be admitted. She entered in the most pathetic guise, her eyes streaming with tears, and threw herself on her knees before the King, who at once raised her from that humble posture.

"Forgive me, Sire," she began, "for having invoked such august protection in order to win access to Your Majesty; but indeed, indeed I felt so desperate . . ."

"Oh! I forgive you with all my heart, Madame; I have to thank my grandson for using his influence to unlock a door for you which henceforward shall be always open for your admission. But for the matter of complaint . . . the main point."

The Marquise only dropped her eyes.

"Come, I am pressed for time," resumed the King; " they wait my coming to mass. Is it really true what you write here? Can the Countess have actually allowed herself to . . . "

"Oh! Sire, my cheeks still burn with shame at the thought. I am here to crave justice of the King. Never was a lady of quality so treated before."

"What! really and truly," asked the Monarch, smiling in spite of himself, "treated like a disobedient little girl, without any mitigation at all?"

"Yes, Sire, at the hands of four waitingmaids, under her own eyes, in her own boudoir," the young Marquise assured him, her eyes still fixed on the ground.

"Plague on't!" returned the King, whose mind ran riot among these piquant details, "the Countess never said a word about this little plan of hers." Then with the leer of a satyr, "and how did it all happen? tell me about it, Marquise."

"Sire," replied the poor girl, blushing more hotly than ever, "she invited me to breakfast. I excused myself on the plea of being so much occupied with my duties about the person of her Royal Highness, which begin at eight o'clock in the morning. She sent word I was to come at seven and that she would not detain me long; as a matter of fact. Sire, it was not half an hour before I left her apartments."

"You may make your mind easy, Madame, I will have an explanation with the Countess, and justice shall be done you. But in your own interests, I beg you not to talk overmuch about your mishap. Above all your husband must not hear a word of it; husbands are devilish prudish about such things."