"There is no fear of that," she replied; "and if they are bold enough to perform, I am bold enough to be of the audience, Highness."
"Do not come to me, if you are taken," said Anne.
"I shall come to no one. I am not afraid to die as the others do, when the time comes," replied Rénèe, laying out and making ready Anne's garments for the evening.
"What do you mean by 'when the time comes'?" demanded Anne.
Rénèe very faintly blushed.
"I mean that perhaps there may be some use for me—something for me to do." She changed the subject by adding: "And now it is time that Your Highness made ready for the supper."
"Why should I go at his bidding?" cried Anne stormily. "Why does he ask me to come? Merely to slight me before these others, these rebellious Netherlanders he gathers about him. God, what a life!" Her eyes sparkled wildly, she clasped her hands on her knees and rocked herself to and fro. "I had better have stayed in Saxony. I was better treated there, more taken notice of—here I am nothing in my own household! What does he care? He spends his time with other women, I will warrant."
"His Highness spends his time in affairs, Madame, and laborious business, and gives all his leisure to you," said Rénèe.
"Affairs, business!" sneered Anne. "What do you know of it? He will not attend Court because of this foolish quarrel with the Cardinal; and as for his own matters, if he attended to them he would not be in the confusion and debt he is, with mortgages and money from the Jews. Where does his fortune go?" she added, working herself up. "I was a well-dowered maiden, but what I brought him was like water thrown down a well. What have I seen of it? His idle brothers and his mincing sisters bleed him, I will swear."
Her glance fell on the dress Rénèe had put out, and her mood changed.