"Go to the steward; I must have a widgeon for dinner. Then go to Madame de Beaujeu and tell her that I dine alone to-day. Do you know, madame," the King went on, affecting some little anger, "that you neglect me? It is nearly three years since I saw you last. Come, come hither, pretty one," he added, sitting down and holding out his arms to her. "How thin you are! What do you do to make her so thin? Heh?" he suddenly asked, turning to the Count.
The jealous wretch gave his wife such a pathetic look that she was almost sorry for him.
"It is happiness, Sire," he replied.
"Oh, ho! You are too fond of each other," said the King, holding his daughter upright on his knees. "Well, well, I see I was right, then, when I called you Marie-pleine-de-Grace. Coyctier, leave us! Now, what do you want of me?" he added, to his daughter, as the leech disappeared. "When you sent me your——"
In such peril Marie audaciously laid her hand on the King's mouth, and said in his ear:
"I always thought you secret and keen-witted——"
"Saint-Vallier," said the King, laughing, "I believe that Bridoré has something to say to you."
The Count left the room; but he shrugged one shoulder in a way his wife knew only too well; she could guess the jealous monster's thoughts, and concluded that she must be on her guard against his malignancy.
"Now tell me, child, how do you think I am looking? Am I much altered?"
"Gramercy, my lord, do you want the truth? Or shall I speak you fair?"