“The baths,” said Monsieur to himself; “it seems it is the baths that have put her out.” And he endeavored to put together the disconnected phrases which he had been able to understand. It was easy to guess that the queen was complaining bitterly, and that, if Anne of Austria did not console her, she at least endeavored to do so. Monsieur was afraid to be detected listening at the door and he therefore made up his mind to cough; the two queens turned round at the sound and Monsieur entered. At sight of the prince, the young queen rose precipitately, and dried her tears. Monsieur, however, knew the people he had to deal with too well, and was naturally too polite to remain silent, and he accordingly saluted them. The queen-mother smiled pleasantly at him, saying, “What do you want, Philip?” “I?--nothing,” stammered Monsieur. “I was looking for--” “Whom?” “I was looking for Madame.” “Madame is at the baths.” “And the king?” said Monsieur, in a tone which made the queen tremble. “The king also, the whole court as well,” replied Anne of Austria. “Except you, madame,” said Monsieur. “Oh! I,” said the young queen, “I seem to terrify all those who amuse themselves.” “And so do I,--judging from appearances,” rejoined Monsieur. Anne of Austria made a sigh to her daughter-in-law, who withdrew, weeping. Monsieur’s brows contracted, as he remarked aloud, “What a cheerless house. What do you think of it, mother?” “Why, no; everybody here is pleasure-hunting.” “Yes, indeed, that is the very thing that makes those dull who do not care for pleasure.” “In what a tone you say that, Philip.” “Upon my word, madame, I speak as I think.” “Explain yourself; what is the matter?” “Ask my sister-in-law, rather, who, just now, was detailing all her grievances to you.” “Her grievances, what--” “Yes, I was listening; accidentally, I confess, but still I listened--so that I heard only too well my sister complain of those famous baths of Madame--” “Ah! folly!” “No, no, no; people are not always foolish when they weep. The queen said _banos_, which means baths.” “I repeat, Philip,” said Anne of Austria, “that your sister is childishly jealous.” “In that case, madame,” replied the prince, “I, too, must with great humility accuse myself of possessing the same defect.” “You also, Philip?” “Certainly.” “Are you really jealous of these baths?” “And why not, madame, when the king goes to the baths with my wife, and does not take the queen? Why not, when Madame goes to the baths with the king, and does not do me the honor to even invite me? And you enjoin my sister-in-law to be satisfied, and require me to be satisfied, too.” “You are raving, my dear Philip,” said Anne of Austria; “you have driven the Duke of Buckingham away; you have been the cause of M. de Guiche’s exile; do you now wish to send the king away from Fontainebleau?”