Höel went at once to notify Bertha, and when the Queen entered the chamber with Count Gragny and several other knights, all gathered about the cradle in which the child was lying. Eleanor gave one glance at the little Duke and then turned again to Constance. “I advise you to give up your game. I shall never recognize this boy as Geoffrey’s heir. Content yourself with your paternal possessions in Brittany, which I shall never enter again.” “What do you mean, Your Majesty?” exclaimed Constance, with increasing emotion. “I mean that the heir came very suddenly, and when he was greatly needed,” said Eleanor. “Who knows in what hut he was born and found?” “This is monstrous!” interrupted Constance. “How dare you impute such a disgraceful thing to me, and insult me in my most sacred relations? Go! Only one who can invent such a story is capable of such action. You have a wicked heart!” “Enough,” said the Queen. “See to it that you and your child do not come in my way, otherwise woe to him and to you.” As she said this she made a threatening gesture with her hand at the child. Little Alan, who had been standing by his mother’s side, darted forward and, seizing the Queen’s arm, cried out in his shrill childish voice, “Don’t you touch the Duke!” The Queen regarded Alan with astonishment, and said with a sneer: “So! You have taught young and old to call him Duke without regard to the policy of others!” “The united dukedom belongs to us as rightfully as does Guienne, which you inherited from your father, to you,” said Constance haughtily. “But now, Your Majesty, let us have peace. Remember, you are our guest, and as such we shall treat you with due honor.” The Duchess stepped to the door, and stood there until Eleanor had passed, then followed with her knights. “What a woman!” whispered Count Gragny to Höel, who quietly shrugged his shoulders. He kept his eyes bent upon the Queen, as he suspected she might have communication with those near the Duchess, for he feared her wiles. Eleanor took very little part in the banquet, and shortly retired with her attendants, after a brief leave-taking. Those remaining in the hall regarded each other in silence, but Count Gragny could not long endure the situation. He spoke out: “The Queen came like the bad fairy who always appears unexpectedly at christenings. Fortunately, she left no evil gift behind.” “Yet, noble Count,” replied Höel, “she has left us anxiety.” “Let us drown all thoughts of troublesome questions with mirth and wine,” exclaimed the Count, raising his glass. “Your Ladyship, I drink to the health of Duke Arthur.” Constance gracefully thanked him for the honor, and raised her glass to her lips. After that she announced the close of the feast and dismissed the guests.