"Here!" cried the child himself, darting out from his hiding place.
[Illustration]
"O your Majesty!" said the man in red. "All your court has been looking for you for the past two hours."
"I am glad to hear it, Cardinal Mazarin," [Footnote: Maz a reen'.] said the boy.
"Your mother is very anxious."
"I am sorry if I have given her trouble. But really, I fell into the pool at the fountain, and this kind man brought me here to get me dry."
"Indeed!" said the cardinal. "But I hope you are now ready to come home with us."
"I shall go when I please."
"Your mother—"
"Oh, yes, I know she is anxious, and I will go. But first I must thank these poor people."