According to Anne of Austria's command, Pauline conducted Charles to the head of the staircase, at which had been stationed Laporte, the confidential servant of the Queen, keeping watch to give notice of any one's approach. To him she delivered her charge with the proper directions, and then returned to the saloon, not a little anxious to learn the contents of De Blenau's letter. I will not try to explain her sensations. Let those who have been parted from some one that they love, who have been anxious for his safety, and terrified for his danger, who have waited in fear and agony for tidings long delayed--let them call up all that they felt, and tinging it with that shade of romance, which might be expected in the mind of a young, feeling, imaginative, Languedocian girl of 1643, they will have something like a picture of Pauline's sensations, without my helping them a bit. "Come hither, my wild rose," said the Queen, as she saw her enter. "Here is a letter from De Blenau, full of sad news indeed. His situation is perilous in the extreme; and though I am the cause of all, I do not know how to aid him." Pauline turned pale, but cast down her eyes, and remained without speaking. "Surely, Pauline," said the Queen, misinterpreting her silence, "after the explanations I gave you some days ago, you can have no farther doubt of De Blenau's conduct?" "Oh no indeed! Madam," replied Pauline, vehemently, "and now that I feel and know how very wrong those suspicions were, I would fain do something to atone for having formed them." "Thou canst do nothing, my poor flower," said the Queen, with a melancholy smile. "However, read that letter, and thou wilt see that something must soon be done to save him, or his fate is sealed. De Blenau must be informed that I have acknowledged writing to my brother, and all the particulars connected therewith; for well I know that Richelieu will not be contented with my confession, but will attempt to wring something more from him, even by the _peine forte et dure_."