"You have made us wait, madame," said he, "but your appearance to-day repays us for your tardiness."
The queen smiled again, for well she knew that she was bewitchingly dressed, and that the new coiffure which Leonard had contrived, was really becoming, and would heighten her charms by contrast with the hideout towers that were heaped, like Pelion upon Ossa, over the heads of the princesses.
"I hope that your majesty will forgive me for being late," said she, secure in the power of her fascinations. "My little Jacques is to blame. He is sick to-day, and would have no one to put him to sleep but myself."
"Your majesty should feel flattered," cried the Count de Provence. "You are expected to put off your dinner until a little peasant is pleased to go to sleep."
"Pardon me, your highness," said the queen, coloring, "Jacques is no longer a peasant—he is my child."
"The dauphin, perchance, which your majesty promised not long since to the dames de la halle?" answered the king's brother.
The queen blushed so deeply that the flush of her shame overspread her whole face and neck; but instead of retorting, she turned to address her brother.
"You have not a word of greeting for me, Joseph?"
"My dear sister," said the emperor, "I am speechless with admiration at your coiffure. Where did you get such a wilderness of flowers and feathers?"
"They are the work of Leonard."