“Immediately, sir—follow me.” A quarter of an hour after, Philippe was introduced into the library, where the queen waited for him.
“Ah! M. de Taverney, enter,” said she in a gay tone, “and do not look so sorrowful. Do you know I feel rather frightened whenever a Taverney asks for an audience. Reassure me quickly, and tell me that you are not come to announce a misfortune.”
“Madame, this time I only bring you good news.”
“Oh! some news.”
“Alas, yes, your majesty.”
“There! an ‘alas’ again.”
“Madame, I am about to assure your majesty that you need never again fear to be saddened by the sight of a Taverney; for, madame, the last of this family, to whom you once deigned to show some kindness, is about to leave the court of France forever.”
The queen, dropping her gay tone, said, “You leave us?”
“Yes, your majesty.”
“You also!”