"The German Prince has turned her head and made her forget poor Solange altogether," said Clorinde.
"The most famous preachers, among them Burning-Fire and Fra Hervé the Cordelier, failed to draw the Marquis of Solange back to the fold of the Church. Anna Bell undertook his conversion, and, by grace from above—or from below—by virtue of her blue eyes or of her charming hips, the Huguenot became an ardent Catholic."
"But to whom does he render his devotions?" asked Clorinde, meaningly. "To the Church, or to the chapel of our little friend?" The maids of honor laughed uproariously and Clorinde continued: "But let us return to our pasquils."
"This one," resumed Blanche of Verceil, "is odd on account of its form—and the climax is droll. Judge for yourselves:
| "The poor people endure everything; |
| The men-at-arms ravage everything; |
| The Holy Church pensions everything; |
| The favorites demand everything; |
| The Cardinal grants everything; |
| The Parliament registers everything; |
| The Chancellor seals everything; |
| The Queen-Mother runs everything; |
| And only the Devil laughs at everything; |
| Because the Devil will take everything."[57] |
The loud hilarity of the maids of honor, whom the wind-up of the last pasquil amused intensely, finally attracted the attention of Anna Bell. Her face bore the impress of profound sadness; her eyes were moist. Fearing that she was the object of her companions' jests, the maid furtively wiped away her tears, stepped slowly towards the other young women, and let herself down beside Blanche of Verceil.
"We are somewhat after the fashion of the devil—we laugh about everything," said Clorinde to her. "You alone, Anna Bell, among us all, are as sad as a wife who sees her husband return from a long voyage, or beholds her gallant depart for the wars. What is the reason of your despondency?"
Anna Bell forced a smile, and answered: "Forget me, as the wife forgets her husband. To-day I feel in a sad humor."
"The remembrance, perhaps, of a bad dream?" suggested Blanche of Verceil, ironically. "Or perhaps bad news from a handsome and absent friend?"
"No, dear Blanche," replied Anna Bell, blushing, "I am affected only by a vague sorrow—without cause or object. Besides, as you are aware, I am not of a gay disposition."