The young dame, who seemed much embarrassed, made a profound obeisance, but did not advance. As we have said, she was exquisitely beautiful. Her features might have been modelled by Praxiteles, and her figure was tall and admirably proportioned. She was attired in green velvet, embroidered with flowers of damask, gold, and pearls, with the sleeves puffed and quilted, and her head-dress, which was very becomingly fashioned, was ornamented with pearls and other precious stones. “I am trying to recal your features, fair lady,” said the king, approaching her, and regarding her with undisguised admiration, “but I do not think I can have seen you before. Such a lovely face as yours--such lustrous eyes--and such a form--must have made a lasting impression upon me. Yet you must have been at court.” “No, sire, my father, the Comte de Saint-Vallier, never took me to court,” she replied. “How?” exclaimed François, surprised. “Are you the charming Diane de Poitiers, who, by bestowing your hand upon the Comte de Maulévrier, have made him the most enviable of mortals?” “It is my misfortune, sire, to be the wife of the Comte de Maulévrier,” she replied. “Your misfortune! ha!” exclaimed the king. “Are you aware that your husband is here?” “Here, sire?” exclaimed Diane, uneasily. “Nay, be not alarmed,” replied François, smiling. “He has not come for the purpose of taking you back to the Château de Brézé. He brought me some important intelligence from Normandy.” “'Tis Maulévrier, then, who has revealed the plot,” mentally ejaculated Bourbon. “I should not return with him, if he desired it,” said Diane, “Your majesty must understand that the comte and I have quarrelled.” “Quarrelled! ah!” exclaimed François. “And so you took refuge from the husband you hate with the Duke de Bourbon--eh?” “I do not hate my husband, sire, though he has compelled me to leave him. I came to the Château de Moulins with my father.” “And you expected to find your father with the Constable when you entered so suddenly just now, eh?” remarked the king, dryly. “I did, sire. I came to inform them of your arrival at the château--little expecting to find your majesty here. I trust I may infer from your gracious and kindly aspect that the Constable is restored to favour?” “He is fully restored,” replied the king. “You will be pleased, I am sure, to learn that I have just promised him the command of half my Italian army.” “You have done well, sire,” she rejoined. “With Bourbon in joint command with your majesty, victory will be assured. You will accompany the king?” she added to the Constable, with evident anxiety. “I hope to do so,” he replied. “At all events, I will follow as soon as my strength will permit me.” “Nay, I must have you with me,” said the king. “Right, sire--do not leave him behind,” she whispered. “I know the way to enforce obedience on the Constable's part,” said the king. “I shall take you with me to Lyons, fair Diane. He will follow quickly then.”