“For me, then?” and the queen conducted her into the bath-room, where her women were waiting for her. Once in the bath, she sent them away.
“Now, countess.”
“Madame,” said Jeanne, “I am much embarrassed.”
“Why so?”
“Your majesty knows the kindness I have received from M. de Rohan.”
The queen frowned. “Well, madame?”
“Yesterday his eminence came to see me, and spoke to me as usual of your majesty’s goodness and kindness.”
“What does he want?”
“I expressed to him all my sense of your generosity, which constantly empties your purse, and told him that I felt almost guilty in thinking of your majesty’s gift to myself, and remembering that were it not for such liberality your majesty need not have been forced to deny yourself the beautiful necklace which became you so well. When I related this circumstance to M. de Rohan, I saw him grow pale and the tears came into his eyes. Indeed, madame, his fine face, full of admiration for, and emotion caused by, your noble conduct, is ever before my eyes.”
“Well, countess, if he has impressed you so deeply, I advise you not to let him see it. M. de Rohan is a worldly prelate, and gathers the sheep as much for himself as for his Lord.”