A large number of officers and courtiers crowded the cabinet; the queen-mother had arrived that evening, escorted by her maids of honor, and these light-hearted girls were, like suns, always attended by their satellites.
The king gave Joyeuse his hand to kiss, and glanced with a satisfied expression around the a.s.sembly.
In the angle of the entrance door, in his usual place, stood Henry du Bouchage, rigorously discharging his service and the duties which were imposed on him.
The king thanked him, and saluted him with a friendly recognition, to which Henri replied by a profound reverence.
This good intelligence which prevailed between them made Joyeuse turn his head and smilingly look at his brother, without, however, saluting him in too marked a manner, from the fear of violating etiquette.
"Sire," said Joyeuse, "I am sent to your majesty by Monsieur le Duc d"Anjou, recently returned from the expedition to Flanders."
"Is my brother well, Monsieur l"Amiral?" inquired the king.
"As well, sire, as the state of his mind will permit; however, I will not conceal from your majesty that he appears to be suffering greatly."
"He must need something to change the current of his thoughts after his misfortune," said the king, delighted at the opportunity of proclaiming the check which his brother had met with, while appearing to pity him.
"I believe he does, sire."
"We have been informed that the disaster had been most severe."
"Sire--"
"But that, thanks to you, a great portion of the army had been saved; thanks, Monsieur l"Amiral, thanks. Does poor Monsieur d"Anjou wish to see us?"
"Most anxiously so, sire."
"In that case we will see him. Are not you of that opinion, madame?"
said Henri, turning toward Catherine, whose heart was wrung with feelings, the expression of which her face determinedly concealed.
"Sire," she replied, "I should have gone alone to meet my son; but since your majesty condescends to join with me in this mark of kind consideration, the journey will be a party of pleasure for me."
"You will accompany us, messieurs," said the king to the courtiers; "we will set off to-morrow, and I shall sleep at Meaux."
"Shall I at once announce this excellent news to monseigneur, sire?"
"Not so; what! leave me so soon, Monsieur l"Amiral? not so, indeed. I can well understand that a Joyeuse must be loved and sought after by my brother, but we have two of the same family, thank Heaven. Du Bouchage, you will start for Chateau-Thierry, if you please."
"Sire," said Henri, "may I be permitted, after having announced your majesty"s arrival to Monseigneur le Duc d"Anjou, to return to Paris?"
"You may do as you please, Du Bouchage," said the king.
Henri bowed and advanced toward the door. Fortunately Joyeuse was watching him narrowly.
"Will you allow me to say one word to my brother?" he inquired.
"Do so; but what is it?" said the king in an undertone.
"The fact is, that he wishes to use the utmost speed to execute the commission, and to return again immediately, which happens to interfere with my projects, sire, and with those of the cardinal."
"Away with you, then, and rate this love-sick swain most roundly."
Anne hurried after his brother, and overtook him in the antechambers.
"Well!" said Joyeuse; "you are setting off very eagerly, Henri."
"Of course, my brother!"
"Because you wish to return here soon again?"
"That is quite true."
"You do not intend, then, to stay any time at Chateau-Thierry?"
"As little as possible."
"Why so?"
"Where others are amusing themselves is not my place."
"On the contrary, Henri, it is precisely because Monseigneur le Duc d"Anjou is about to give some fetes that you should remain at Chateau-Thierry."
"It is impossible."
"Because of your wish for retirement, and of the austere projects you have in view?"--"Yes."
"You have been to the king to solicit a dispensation?"
"Who told you so?"
"I know it to be the case."
"It is true, then, for I have been to him."
"You will not obtain it."
"Why so, my brother?"
"Because the king has no interest in depriving himself of such a devoted servant as you are."
"My brother, the cardinal, will therefore do what his majesty will be disinclined to do."
"And all that for a woman?"
"Anne, I entreat you, do not persist any further."
"Ah! do not fear that I shall begin over again; but, once for all, let us to the point. You set off for Chateau-Thierry; well, instead of returning as hurriedly as you seem disposed to do, I wish you to wait for me in my apartments there; it is a long time since we have lived together. I particularly wish to be with you again, you understand."