"Not so; what! leave me so soon, Monsieur l'Amiral? not so, indeed. I can well understand that a Joyeuse must be loved and sought after by my brother, but we have two of the same family, thank Heaven. Du Bouchage, you will start for Chateau-Thierry, if you please." "Sire," said Henri, "may I be permitted, after having announced your majesty's arrival to Monseigneur le Duc d'Anjou, to return to Paris?" "You may do as you please, Du Bouchage," said the king. Henri bowed and advanced toward the door. Fortunately Joyeuse was watching him narrowly. "Will you allow me to say one word to my brother?" he inquired. "Do so; but what is it?" said the king in an undertone. "The fact is, that he wishes to use the utmost speed to execute the commission, and to return again immediately, which happens to interfere with my projects, sire, and with those of the cardinal." "Away with you, then, and rate this love-sick swain most roundly." Anne hurried after his brother, and overtook him in the antechambers. "Well!" said Joyeuse; "you are setting off very eagerly, Henri." "Of course, my brother!" "Because you wish to return here soon again?" "That is quite true." "You do not intend, then, to stay any time at Chateau-Thierry?" "As little as possible." "Why so?" "Where others are amusing themselves is not my place." "On the contrary, Henri, it is precisely because Monseigneur le Duc d'Anjou is about to give some fetes that you should remain at Chateau-Thierry." "It is impossible." "Because of your wish for retirement, and of the austere projects you have in view?"--"Yes." "You have been to the king to solicit a dispensation?" "Who told you so?" "I know it to be the case." "It is true, then, for I have been to him." "You will not obtain it." "Why so, my brother?" "Because the king has no interest in depriving himself of such a devoted servant as you are." "My brother, the cardinal, will therefore do what his majesty will be disinclined to do." "And all that for a woman?" "Anne, I entreat you, do not persist any further." "Ah! do not fear that I shall begin over again; but, once for all, let us to the point. You set off for Chateau-Thierry; well, instead of returning as hurriedly as you seem disposed to do, I wish you to wait for me in my apartments there; it is a long time since we have lived together. I particularly wish to be with you again, you understand." "You are going to Chateau-Thierry to amuse yourself, Anne, and if I were to remain there I should poison all your pleasures." "Oh! far from that, I do not care for them; I am of a happy temperament, and quite fitted to drive away all your fits of melancholy." "Brother--" "Permit me, comte," said the admiral, with an imperious air of command, "I am the representative of our father here, and I enjoin you to wait for me at Chateau-Thierry. You will find out my apartment, which will be your own also; it is on the ground floor, looking out on the park."