"You're almost jealous," commented Henry. "Just the same, Francis doesn't seem so very cast down over his fate."
"She's not at all bad," Francis retorted. "And I can accept my fate with dignity, if not with equanimity. And I'll tell you something else, Henry, now that you are harping on this strain: she wouldn't marry you if you asked her."
"Oh, I don't know," Henry began.
"Then ask her," was the challenge. "Here she comes now. Look at her eyes. There's trouble brewing. And the priest's black as thunder. You just propose, to her and see what chance you've got while I'm around."
Henry nodded his head stubbornly.
"I will but not to show you what kind of a woman-conqueror I am, but for the sake of fair play. I wasn't playing the game when I accepted your sacrifice of yourself, but I am going to play the game now."
Before they could prevent him, he had thrust his way to the Queen, shouldered in between her and the priest, and began to speak earnestly. And the Queen laughed as she listened. But her laughter was not for Henry. With shining triumph she laughed across at Leoncia.
Not many moments were required to say no to Henry's persuasions, whereupon the Queen joined Leoncia and Francis, the priest tagging at her heels, and Henry, following more slowly, trying to conceal the gladness that was his at being rejected.
"What do you think," the Queen addressed Leoncia directly. "Good Henry has just asked me to marry him, which makes the fourth this day. Am I not well loved? Have you ever had four lovers, all desiring to marry you on your wedding day?"
"Four!" Francis exclaimed.