"Madam," replied Ronsard, with some embarrassment; "All I have is at
your service, but it is only a poor place."
"No place is poor that has peace in it," returned the Queen, with one
of those rare smiles of hers, which so swiftly subjugated the hearts of
men. "Will you lead the way?"
Thus persuaded, Rene Ronsard could only bow a respectful assent, and
obey the request, which from Royalty was tantamount to a command.
Signing to the other members of the party, who had stood till now at a
little distance, the Queen bade them all accompany her.
"The King will stay here till we return," she said, "And Sir Roger will
stay with him!"
With these words, and a flashing glance at De Launay, she stepped
across the lawn, followed by her ladies-in-waiting, with Sir Walter
Langton and the other gentlemen; and in another moment the brilliant
little group had disappeared behind the trailing roses and clematis,
which hung in profusion from the oaken projections of the wide verandah
round Ronsard's picturesque dwelling. Standing still for a moment, with
Sir Roger a pace behind him, the King watched them enter the house--
then quickly turning round on his heel, faced his equerry with a broad
smile.
"Now, De Launay," he said, "let us find Von Glauben!"
Sir Roger started with surprise, and not a little apprehension.
Pages:
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233