Chapter 24 - Page 2

began, on the part of Anne of Austria, a political dissertation upon the welcome M. Fouquet had given to the house of France. She mixed up hostilities with compliments addressed to the King, and questions as to his health with little maternal flatteries and diplomatic artifices. “Well, my son,” said she, “are you convinced with regard to M. Fouquet?”

“Saint-Aignan,” said Philippe, “have the goodness to go and inquire after the Queen.”

At these words, the first which Philippe had pronounced aloud, the slight difference that there was between his voice and that of the King was sensible to maternal ears, and Anne of Austria looked earnestly at her son. De Saint-Aignan left the room, and Philippe continued, “Madame, I do not like to hear M. Fouquet ill-spoken of,-you know I do not; and you have even spoken well of him yourself.”

“That is true; therefore I only question you on the state of your sentiments with respect to him.”

“Sire,” said Henrietta, “I, on my part, have always liked M. Fouquet. He is a man of good taste; he is a superior man.”

“A superintendent who is never sordid or niggardly,” added Monsieur, “and who pays in gold all the orders I have on him.”

“Every one in this thinks too much of himself, and nobody for the State,” said the old Queen. “M. Fouquet- it is a fact- M. Fouquet is ruining the State.”

“Well, Mother,” replied Philippe, in rather a lower key, “do you likewise constitute yourself the buckler of M. Colbert?”

“How is that?” replied the old Queen, rather surprised.

“Why, in truth,” replied Philippe, “you speak that just as your old friend Madame de Chevreuse would speak.”

At that name Anne of Austria turned pale and bit her lips. Philippe had irritated the lioness. “Why do you mention Madame de Chevreuse to me?” said she; “and what sort of humor are you in to-day towards me?”

Philippe continued: “Is not Madame de Chevreuse always in league against somebody? Has not Madame de Chevreuse been to pay you a visit, Mother?”

“Monsieur, you speak to me now in such a manner that I can almost fancy I am listening to your father.”

“My father did not like Madame de Chevreuse, and with good reason,” said the Prince. “For my part, I like her no better than he did; and if she thinks proper to come here as she formerly did, to sow divisions and hatreds under the pretext of begging money, why-”

“Well, what?” said Anne of Austria, proudly, herself provoking the storm.

“Well,” replied the young man, firmly, “I will drive Madame de