CHAPTER III.
THE ROYAL FAMILY.
The reading of the papal epistle was interrupted at this point by the noise of many children's laughter that proceeded from the contiguous chamber. Almost immediately thereupon the three younger brothers of Sigebert, who was then absent on the journey to Germany, rushed in, followed by their governesses. The little ones ran to their great-grandmother. Childebert, the eldest of the three, was ten years of age; Corbe nine, and Merovee, the youngest, six. The poor children, born of a father who was almost worn out, even before adolescence, through all manner of early excesses, were delicate, frail, dreamy, and painful to behold. Even their mirth had a saddening effect. Their cheeks were hollow, they were sicklied over by a pallor that betrayed ill health, and that rendered their eyes exceptionally large and weird. Their long hair, the symbol of Frankish royalty, fell thin upon their shoulders. They wore short dalmaticas of gold and silver thread. The governesses respectfully bent their knees at the entrance of the hall and remained at the door, while the children ran forward and surrounded their great-grandmother. Childebert remained standing near her; Corbe and Merovee, the two youngest, climbed upon her knees, as she said to them:
"You seem to be in good spirits this morning, my dear children! What is the reason of your joy?"
"Grandmother, it is our brother Corbe, who made us laugh."
"What did Corbe do that was so funny?"
"He plucked all the feathers off his white turtle dove—and she screeched so—she screeched—"
"And you laughed—you laughed—you little imps!"
"Yes, grandmother, but our little brother Merovee wept."
"Did he laugh so hard that he cried?"