The child obeyed, but it was plain that she did not feel at ease, for she looked anxiously towards her mother.
Henry seemed annoyed as Clemence seated herself beside him, but although the noble woman had remarked his grave and troubled expression and divined its cause, her strong will concealed her sad emotions.
"Father, why do you always wear these iron clothes?" said the child, playing with the rings of his coat of mail.
"Because it is necessary in time of war, my child. Would you not like to have one like it? See how it shines and sparkles!"
"No, father; it is too hard and stiff; I like my mother's dresses better."
"If you were a boy, instead of a little girl, it would please you more."
These words produced a strange effect upon the infant. She first turned towards Clemence who seemed ready to burst into tears, and then threw her arms around her father's neck, as if to prevent him reproaching her mother.
"I want to be a boy, father!" said Adelaide, laughing through her tears.
"You do, do you? and what for?"
"So that my mother may not cry any more!"