"I think that he has gone to de Gêvres. He will bring us back some news of the Court. It will be something to divert his Majesty this afternoon, and something for us to listen to this morning. Heigh-ho!"
At this moment the King's hand slipped through the bed-curtains and drew one of them aside till his face was visible. Smiling faintly at the Duchess, he motioned her to him with a peculiar glance. "Du Plessis is out, you say?"
Madame nodded.
"Send for him, then. Recall him at once. He—"
"He is here," interrupted Elise.
The door from the broad hall to the anteroom had opened. For an instant madame's heart stood still. Then Richelieu, patch-box in hand, came leisurely in.
"Ah!" The relief in the sigh was very apparent. "You have been absent so long, we became anxious."
The Duke smiled pleasantly and shrugged. "His Majesty is awake?" he asked, seeing that madame was by the bed.
"He—"
Louis suddenly dropped the curtain, hid himself from view, and so signified that he was not to be disturbed.