“Oh, madame! I pardon you willingly, and Philippe also.”
“Are you sure?”
“I answer for both of us.”
“How is he?”
“As usual, beautiful and good, madame.”
“How old is he now?”
“Thirty-two.”
“Poor Philippe! do you know that it is fourteen years since I first met him! But I have not seen him now for nine or ten.”
“Whenever your majesty pleases to receive him he will be but too happy to assure you that this long absence has not altered the sentiment of respectful devotion which he has ever felt for his queen.”
“I will see him at once.”