"He has heard me," answered Clorinde. "He knows that in pledging constancy, exception is always implied for an encounter with Henry of Guise. But let us hear the other pasquils, Blanche!"
"The next one," announced Blanche, "is piquant. It alludes to the new custom that the Queen has borrowed from Spain. It alludes to the title of Majesty that she wishes to be addressed by, as well as her children:
| "The Kingdom of France, to perdition while lagging, |
| Has seized from the Spaniard his heathenish bragging: |
| It rigs up a mortal in godhead's travesty, |
| And when his estate with hypocrisy's smelling, |
| I plainly can see, and without any telling, |
| Our Majesty's booked—to be stript of majesty."[56] |
"That last line is humorous," laughed Clorinde. "'Our Majesty's booked—to be stript of majesty.'"
"For want of the thing we take the name—that is enough to impose upon the fools," said Diana of Sauveterre.
Blanche pointed to their companion who was still seated by the window, now with her forehead resting on her hands, and said: "Look at Anna Bell. In what black melancholy is she plunged?"
"To the devil with melancholy!" answered Diana. "One has to fall in love with some German Prince in order to look so pitiful!"
"Who may the Prince Charming be?" Blanche inquired. "We know nothing of the secrets of that languishing maid, except a few words uttered by her in her sleep—'Prince—Germany!—Germany!—My heart is all yours. Alas, my love can not be shared.'"
"Can Anna Bell be German?" asked Clorinde.
"Ask our good Dame Catherine about that. She is no doubt acquainted with the mystery of Anna Bell's birth, and may enlighten you on what you want to know. As for me, I know nothing about it."