No sooner was the king gone than the queen rose, and went to the window. The morning was lovely, and had the charming feeling of the commencement of spring, while the sun seemed almost warm. The wind had gone round to the west, and if it remained in that quarter this terrible winter was probably at an end.
The snow was beginning to drip from the trees, under the influence of this genial morning.
“If we wish to profit by the ice,” cried the queen, “I believe we must make haste; for look, Madame de Misery, the spring seems to have begun. I much wish to make up a party on the Swiss lake, and will go to-day, for to-morrow it may be too late.”
“Then at what hour will your majesty wish to dress?”
“Immediately; I will breakfast and then go.”
“Are there any other orders, madame?”
“See if Madlle. de Taverney has risen, and tell her I wish to speak to her.”
“She is already waiting for you in the boudoir, madame.”
“Already?” said the queen, who knew at what time she had gone to bed.
“She has been there for twenty minutes, madame.”