CHAPTER LXXXV. NEWS FROM AURILLY. On the following day the king was working at the Louvre with the superintendent of finances, when an attendant entered to inform his majesty that Monsieur de Joyeuse, the eldest son of that family, had just arrived, and was waiting for him in the large audience chamber, having come from Chateau-Thierry, with a message from Monsieur le Duc d'Anjou. The king precipitately left the business which occupied him, and ran to meet a friend whom he regarded with so much affection. A large number of officers and courtiers crowded the cabinet; the queen-mother had arrived that evening, escorted by her maids of honor, and these light-hearted girls were, like suns, always attended by their satellites. The king gave Joyeuse his hand to kiss, and glanced with a satisfied expression around the assembly. In the angle of the entrance door, in his usual place, stood Henry du Bouchage, rigorously discharging his service and the duties which were imposed on him. The king thanked him, and saluted him with a friendly recognition, to which Henri replied by a profound reverence. This good intelligence which prevailed between them made Joyeuse turn his head and smilingly look at his brother, without, however, saluting him in too marked a manner, from the fear of violating etiquette. "Sire," said Joyeuse, "I am sent to your majesty by Monsieur le Duc d'Anjou, recently returned from the expedition to Flanders." "Is my brother well, Monsieur l'Amiral?" inquired the king. "As well, sire, as the state of his mind will permit; however, I will not conceal from your majesty that he appears to be suffering greatly." "He must need something to change the current of his thoughts after his misfortune," said the king, delighted at the opportunity of proclaiming the check which his brother had met with, while appearing to pity him. "I believe he does, sire." "We have been informed that the disaster had been most severe." "Sire--" "But that, thanks to you, a great portion of the army had been saved; thanks, Monsieur l'Amiral, thanks. Does poor Monsieur d'Anjou wish to see us?" "Most anxiously so, sire." "In that case we will see him. Are not you of that opinion, madame?" said Henri, turning toward Catherine, whose heart was wrung with feelings, the expression of which her face determinedly concealed. "Sire," she replied, "I should have gone alone to meet my son; but since your majesty condescends to join with me in this mark of kind consideration, the journey will be a party of pleasure for me." "You will accompany us, messieurs," said the king to the courtiers; "we will set off to-morrow, and I shall sleep at Meaux." "Shall I at once announce this excellent news to monseigneur, sire?"