"You are without any pity," said Saint-Aignan, "and I will punish you by a quatrain:—
"'Beautiful Iris, to my vow
You are too opposed—'"
"Silence," said Athenaïs, "you will prevent me hearing the winning number."
"Number one," said the young girl who had drawn the mother-of-pearl from the Spanish leather bag.
"The king!" exclaimed the queen-mother.
"The king has won!" repeated the queen, delightedly.
"Oh! the king! your dream!" said Madame, joyously, in the ear of Anne of Austria.
The king was the only one who did not exhibit any satisfaction. He merely thanked Fortune for what she had done for him, in addressing a slight salutation to the young girl who had been chosen as her proxy. Then, receiving from the hands of Anne of Austria, amid the eager desire of the whole assembly, the casket inclosing the bracelets, he said, "Are these bracelets really beautiful, then?"
"Look at them," said Anne of Austria, "and judge for yourself."
The king looked at them, and said, "Yes, indeed, an admirable medallion. What perfect finish!"