Page:Ten Years Later.djvu/265

Rh if Anne of Austria did not console her, she at least endeavored to do so. Monsieur was afraid to be detected listening at the door, and he therefore made up his mind to cough; the two queens turned round at the sound, and Monsieur entered. At the sight of the prince the young queen rose precipitately, and dried her tears. Monsieur, however, knew the people he had to deal with too well, and was naturally too polite to remain silent, and he accordingly saluted them. The queen-mother smiled pleasantly at him, saying:

"What do you want, Philip?"

"I? — nothing," stammered Monsieur. "I was looking for "

"Whom?"

"I was looking for madame."

"Madame is at the baths."

"And the king?" said Monsieur, in a tone which made the queen tremble.

"The king also, and the whole court as well," replied Anne of Austria.

"Except you, madame," said Monsieur.

"Oh, I!" said the young queen, "I seem to terrify all those who amuse themselves."

Anne of Austria made a sign to her daughter-in-law, who withdrew, weeping.

Monsieur's brows contracted, as he remarked aloud:

"What a cheerless house! What do you think of it, mother?"

"Why, no; everybody here is pleasure-hunting."

"Yes, indeed, that is the very thing that makes those dull who do not care for pleasure."

"In what a tone you say that, Philip!"

"Upon my word, madame, I speak as I think."

"Explain yourself. What is the matter?"

"Ask my sister-in-law, rather, who just now was detailing all her grievances to you."

"Her grievances; what "

"Yes, I was listening; accidentally, I confess, but still I listened — so that I heard only too well my sister complain of those famous baths of madame "

"What folly!"

"No, no, no; people are not always foolish when they weep. The queen said banos, which means baths."

"I repeat, Philip," said Anne of Austria, "that your sister is most childishly jealous."