"Your Majesty is unexpected, but all the more welcome for that," said the Queen as Henri touched her fingers with his lips. The King made some answer I did not hear, and led the Queen to a seat; then, patting the Dauphin's head much in the manner of one patting a spaniel's back, he looked around. "_Birge_!" he said. "You are gay here. It was dull this evening at supper; she had the megrims." A slight flush came into Catherine de Medicis' cheeks at this mention of the mistress, and her voice trembled a little. "I trust madame will soon be better; but you, sire, will always find us gay here." "It seems so. What was the particular jest? It might bring a smile to Diane's face when I tell her of it." I moved back, so that I did not hear the Queen's answer, but Henri laughed loudly. "A Court of Love! _Bigre_! 'Tis a new idea, and a good one. But where is our little ward? Present her." Mademoiselle had to come forward, and when she had kissed hands the King said: "I hear sad tales of you, mademoiselle; but there, never mind! You must not, however, break all our hearts. Faith!" and his feeble intellect wandered off to the one subject it could think of, "we will have a tourney in a fortnight, and the defenders shall wear your colours." Mademoiselle blushed red, and began to stammer out something, whilst a few looks were exchanged between the courtiers that made my blood run hot. The Queen, however, interposed, and suddenly called for me. "Monsieur d'Orrain!" I stepped up, catching the look of astonishment in mademoiselle's eyes as she heard the name by which I was addressed. "Permit me, your Majesty, to present to you the Chevalier d'Orrain. It is he who arranged the small matter you entrusted me with, and has, besides, shown himself a valiant gentleman. With your Majesty's permission I propose appointing him to my guards; M. de Lorgnac has a vacancy." There was a little murmur, and as I knelt, the King extended his hand to me carelessly. As I rose to my feet, and was about to withdraw, he said, with a sudden recollection: "Monsieur d'Orrain--the brother of the Vidame?" I bowed, and Henri turned to the Queen, his face assuming a severe expression; but Catherine de Medicis anticipated his speech. "It is so small a favour that I thought your Majesty would have no objection in view of M. d'Orrain's services. I do not, however, press it." Henri hummed and hawed, and a curious, cunning expression came into his eyes. "_Bigre_! It seems to me I have to grant favours from the moment I rise to the moment I lie down to sleep. But to tell the truth, madame, it was I who came here to ask a favour from you." And then he stopped, and his face flushed darker than ever as he went on, with a short laugh: "Come! let it be a bargain! If I grant you your request will you grant me mine?" "Assuredly, sire!--even if you did not grant me mine."