"Ah! you thought you saw that?" said she.
"Yes, madame," Cauvignac replied with the most innocent candor. "I even thought that I saw that a cannon was fired from the fort, and that the ball with which it was loaded had something to say to your Majesty's carriage."
"Enough. Did you seek audience of me, monsieur, only to indulge in such absurd remarks as these?"
"Ah! you are discourteous," was Cauvignac's mental reflection; "you shall pay the dearer for that."
"No, madame, I sought an audience to say to you that you are a very great queen, and that my admiration for you knows no bounds."
"Indeed!" said the queen, dryly.
"Because of your grandeur, and my admiration, which is its natural consequence, I resolved to devote myself heart and soul to your Majesty's cause."
"Thanks," said the queen, ironically. "Guitaut," she added, turning to the captain of the guards, "show this prating fool the door."
"Pardon, madame," said Cauvignac, "I will go without being driven out; but if I go you will not have Vayres."
Whereupon he saluted her Majesty with perfect grace, and turned upon his heel.