Page:Ten Years Later.djvu/237

Rh "Monseigneur, monseigneur," murmured the chevalier in the duke's ear in such a manner that every one could observe he was endeavoring to calm him.

"Come," replied the prince, as his only answer to the remark, hurrying him away, and turning round with so hasty a movement that he almost ran against madame. The chevalier followed him to his own apartment, where the prince had no sooner seated himself than he gave free rein to his fury. The chevalier raised his eyes toward the ceiling, joining his hands together, and said not a word.

"Give me your opinion," exclaimed the prince.

"Upon what?"

"Upon what is taking place here."

"Oh, monseigneur! it is a very serious matter."

"It is abominable! I cannot live in this manner."

"Howw unhappy all this is," said the chevalier. "We hoped to enjoy tranquillity after that madman, Buckingham had left."

"And this is worse."

"I do not say that, monseigneur."

"Yes, but I say it, for Buckingham would never have ventured upon a fourth part of what we have just now seen."

"What do you mean?"

"To conceal one's self for the purpose of dancing, and to feign indisposition in order to dine tête-à-tête."

"No, no, monseigneur!"

"Yes, yes!" exclaimed the prince, exciting himself like a self-willed child; "but I will not endure it any longer; I must learn what is really going on."

"Oh, monseigneur, an exposure "

"By Heaven! monsieur, am I to put myself out of the way when people show so little consideration for me? Wait for me here, chevalier, wait for me here." The prince disappeared in the neighboring apartment, and inquired of the gentlemen in attendance if the queen-mother had returned from the chapel. Anne of Austria felt that her happiness was now complete; peace restored to her family, a nation delighted with the presence of a young monarch, who had shown an aptitude for affairs of great importance; the revenues of the state increased; external peace assured; everything seemed to promise a tranquil future for her. Her thoughts recurred, now and then, to that poor young man whom she had received as a mother, and had driven away as a hard-hearted stepmother, and she sighed as she thought of him.