‘How is this, Madame? I hear that you have taught the peasants to complain of the seigniorial rights, and to expect to have the corvee and all other dues remitted.’
I made answer that in truth all I had done was to remit those claims here and there which had seemed to me to press hard upon the tenants of our own estate; and I think the Regent was moved by a look from Father Vincent to demand an example, so I mentioned that I would not have the poor forced to carry our crops on the only fine day in a wet season.
‘Ah, bah!’ said Queen Anne; ‘that was an over-refinement, Madame. It does not hurt those creatures to get wet.’
She really had not the least notion that a wetting ruined their crops; and when I would have answered, my godmother and mother made me a sign to hold my tongue, while Queen Henrietta spoke:
‘Your Majesty sees how it is; my godchild has the enthusiasm of charity, and you, my sister, with your surroundings, will not blame her if she has carried it a little into excess.’
‘Your Majesty will pardon me for asking if there can be excess?’ said Father Vincent. ‘I think I recognize this lady. Did I not meet Madame at the little village of St. Felix?’
‘Oh yes, my father,’ I replied. ‘I have ever since blessed the day, when you comforted me and gave me the key of life.’
‘There, father,’ said the Regent, ‘it is your doing; it is you that have made her a firebrand. You must henceforth take the responsibility.’
‘I ask no better of your Majesty,’ said the holy man.
‘Ah! your Majesty, I can ask no better,’ I said fervently; and I knelt to kiss the beautiful hand which Anne of Austria extended to me in token of pardon.