“Pardon me, sire, and you, gracious madame, if I venture to interrupt you,” he said. “But I would know your majesty's commands in regard to the Constable. His demeanour and looks are so infuriated, and his language so full of menace, that I have ordered the guard not to let him quit the palace.” “You have done well, monseigneur,” said the duchess. “Where is he now?” “In the pavillon de Saint Louis,” remarked Bonnivet, “with her majesty and the Dame de Beaujeu.” “I did not know the duchess was here,” remarked Louise de Savoie, uneasily. “She only arrived an hour ago from Paris,” replied Bonnivet. “Ha! what is this I see?” he added, noticing the cross of Saint Michael, which Bourbon had cast on the ground. “Is it thus your honours are treated, sire? Such insolence deserves severe punishment.” “I would punish the offender--severely punish him--but that I gave him great provocation,” returned the king. “You say that the Constable is in the salle de Saint Louis, with the queen and the Dame de Beau-jeu?”... “He went thither not many minutes ago,” replied Bonnivet. “Shall I arrest him as he comes forth?” “No,” said the king. “I will see him again, and then decide. Come with me, madame--and you too, Admiral.” V. THE DAME DE BEAUJEU. |Prevented by the guard from quitting the palace, and nothing doubting that his arrest would speedily follow, Bourbon was slowly pacing the corridor, considering what course he should pursue, when an usher approached him, and, bowing reverently, informed him that the queen desired to speak with him. The Constable willingly obeyed the summons, and was conducted to a magnificent hall, where he found the queen. Her majesty was seated in a fauteuil, and beside her was an ancient dame of very striking appearance. Several court demoiselles and pages were in attendance, but they were stationed at the farther end of the hall.