Page:Ten Years Later.djvu/253

Rh you complained of a want of confidence or attention on madame's part, and I did not wish your uneasiness to be prolonged any further. It is part of my duty to watch over your household, as over that of the humblest of my subjects. I have seen, therefore, with the sincerest pleasure that your apprehensions have no foundation."

"And," continued Monsieur, in an interrogative tone of voice, and fixing his eyes upon his brother, "what your majesty has discovered for madame — and I bow myself to your majesty's superior judgment — have you also verified it for those who have been the cause of the scandal of which I complain?"

"You are right, Philip," said the king; "I will consider that point." These words comprised an order as well as a consolation; the prince felt it to be so, and withdrew. As for Louis, he went to seek his mother, for he felt that he had need of a more complete absolution than that he had just received from his brother. Anne of Austria did not entertain for M. de Guiche the same reasons for indulgence she had had for Buckingham. She perceived, at the very first words he pronounced, that Louis was not disposed to be severe, as she was indeed. It was one of^ the stratagems of the good queen, in order to succeed in ascertaining the truth. But Louis was no longer in his apprenticeship; already for more than a year past he had been king, and during that year he had learned how to dissemble. Listening to Anne of Austria, in order to permit her to disclose her own thoughts, testifying his approval only by look and by gesture, he became convinced, from certain profound glances, and from certain skillful insinuations, that the queen, so clear-sighted in matters of gallantry, had, if not guessed, at least suspected, his weakness for madame. Of all his auxiliaries, Anne of Austria would be the most important to secure: of all his enemies, Anne of Austria would have been the most dangerous. Louis therefore changed his maneuvers. He complained of madame, absolved Monsieur, listened to what his mother had to say of De Guiche, as he had previously listened to what she had had to say of Buckingham; and then, when he saw that she thought she had gained a complete victory over him, he left her. The whole of the court, that is to say, all the favorites and more intimate associates, and they were numerous, since there were already five masters, were assembled in the evening for the repetition of the ballet. This interval had been occupied by poor De Guiche in receiving visits. Among Rh