All the time that I was bowing and scraping to right and left, I had my eye on the noble lady, hung like a slender bell-clapper in the midst of her spreading draperies; and I could not help wondering how she would look if divested of her voluminous garments,--(a bold idea for a man like me, but only an idea, of course, or you will wonder how I dared to think of such a thing), for she was tall and thin, rather dark-skinned under a thick coating of powder; her hair fell in ringlets over her great brown eyes shining like carbuncles; she had full red lips and a small pointed nose like a ferret; you should have seen the condescending air with which she said to me, “This charming little girl is your grandchild, they tell me.” “Madam,” said I, in my best manner, “I must refer you to my son-in-law, here present, for an answer to that question; but you may be sure that as she is not made of money we do not quarrel over her,--the poor, you know, find their wealth in their children.” She was so kind as to smile at my pleasantry, and my Lord of Asnois burst out laughing. Florimond laughed too, but not so heartily, and I remained as grave as a judge. Then his Lordship and the lady deigned to enter into conversation with me about my trade, and what I made by it, for they took it for granted that I was a minstrel. I told them I made little or nothing, which was true enough, but as they had not asked me I did not say what I did for my living, but let them go on talking while I laughed in my sleeve at the airs they gave themselves, the haughty familiarity with which these fine gentlemen of rank and wealth treat us poor devils. They speak to a poor man as if he were a child, or half-witted. God has so ordered it that only the unworthy are at the bottom of the ladder,--(that is what they think, if they would only admit it), and therefore praise be to the Lord! who has exalted the seats of the mighty! The Lord of Maillebois spoke to his companion as if I were not within hearing. “Madame,” said he, “we may as well fill up our time and have a little talk with this fellow; he seems rather stupid, but as he goes about from one tavern to another, playing on his flageolet, he probably knows what people hereabouts are thinking.” “Hush!” “If indeed they can be said to think at all.” So they said to me: “Well, my man, tell us what ideas prevail in the province?” “Ideas?” said I, as if I had never heard the word before, looking slyly at our good Lord of Asnois, who laughed to himself under his big bushy beard, but let me go on. “Ideas do not seem to grow plentifully in this part of the country,” said Maillebois with his heavy playfulness, “but I mean I want to know what the people are thinking,--are they loyal to Church and King?” “God is great, and so is His Majesty; we are devoted to both of them.” “And how about the Princes?” “They too are great gentlemen.” “Do you mean that you are on their side?” “Yes, indeed, my Lord, we are close beside them.”