The gates of the Hôtel Barbette--formerly the Hôtel Montaigne--opened instantly to the Duke of Orleans, and he was kept but a moment in the great hall ere the queen gave an order for his admission, although still suffering from illness. He found the beautiful but vindictive Isabella in bed; but that formed no objection in those days to the reception of visitors by a lady of even queenly rank; and, after having embraced his fair sister-in-law, he sat down by her bedside, and the room was soon cleared of the attendants.
"You have received my note, Louis?" she said, laying her hand tenderly upon his; for there is every reason to believe that the Duke of Orleans was the only one toward whom she ever entertained any sincere affection.
"I did, sweet Isabella," answered the duke; "and I came at once to see what was your will."
"How many men brought you with you?" asked the queen. "I hope there is no fool-hardiness, Orleans?"
"Oh, in Paris I have plenty," replied the duke; "hard upon five hundred. The rest I left with Valentine at Beauté, for she is going to Château Thierry to gather all her children together. But if you mean how many I have brought hither to-night, good faith! Isabella, not many--two men on horseback, and half a dozen on foot."
"Imprudent man!" exclaimed the queen. "Do you not know that Burgundy is here?"
"Oh yes," answered the Duke of Orleans. "He supped with me this night, quite in a tranquil way."
"Be not deceived--be not deceived, Louis of Orleans," answered the queen. "Who can feign friendship and mean enmity so well as John of Burgundy? And I tell you that, to my certain knowledge, he is caballing against you even now. Your life is never safe when you are near him unless you be surrounded by your men-at-arms."
"Well, then, we do not play an equal game," replied the duke; "for his life is as safe with me as with his dearest friend."
"Did he know that you were coming hither?" asked the queen, with an anxious look.