"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."