After a few remarks, the king complimented him on the perseverance and heroism of Marguerite adding that she was deserving of all honor.
“With your majesty’s permission, I believe I am about to marry her,” remarked De Pontis.
“To whom? I hope to a subject of mine!” exclaimed the monarch.
“François De Romainville, if it please your majesty,” replied the veteran.
“I know the youth,” said Louis, “our cardinal’s page, of good lineage, though accounted wild and reckless—the cardinal complains of his habits, but loves the page’s intelligence and capacity. We must see what can be done for this youth, also for Monsieur Giraud when the opportunity offers.”
He might have added, “when the cardinal permits,” thought the veteran, with a sigh.
“For yourself, De Pontis,” continued the royal personage, “I hope all will go well in future.”
“I intend to put it out of fortune’s power to do me further harm,” answered the militaire—“your majesty’s late bounty I shall settle on my daughter and her husband; for, though I hope a true man in the tented field, yet I do believe that, whether from my own fault, or an unlucky destiny, I should lose, or mismanage the fairest estate in your realm.”
At that moment, the cardinal and his suite were seen in the distance—the countenance of Louis fell, and De Pontis taking hasty leave—much to the royal satisfaction—glided through a side-walk.