Ange Pitou by Alexandre Dumas part two

“Dismiss you!” exclaimed the queen, with a joyful air that did not escape Gilbert.

“Well, then, it is agreed, Madame,” replied he, with admirable presence of mind. “I shall not even tell the king what I had intended, and I shall depart. Must I go to a great distance to reassure you, Madame?”

She looked at him, and appeared surprised at so much self-denial.

“I perceive,” said he, “what your Majesty thinks. Your Majesty, who is better acquainted than is generally thought with the mysteries of the magnetic influence which so much alarmed you a few minutes since,—your Majesty says to herself that at a distance from her I shall be no less dangerous and troublesome.”

“How is that?” exclaimed the queen.

“Yes, I repeat it, Madame. He who would be hurtful to any one by the moans you have reproached my masters and myself for employing, could practise his hurtful power equally well were the distance a hundred leagues, as at three paces. Fear nothing, Madame. I shall not attempt it.”

The queen remained thoughtful for a moment, not knowing how to answer this extraordinary man, who made her waver even after she had formed the firmest resolutions.

On a sudden, the noise of steps coming from the end of the gallery made Marie Antoinette raise her head.

“The king,” said she,—” the king is coming.”

“In that case, Madame, answer me, I pray you—shall I remain here, or shall I leave you?”

“But—”

“Make haste, Madame. I can avoid seeing the king, if you desire it. Your Majesty may show me a door by which I can withdraw.”

“Remain!” said the queen to him.

Gilbert bowed courteously, while Marie Antoinette endeavored to read in his features to what extent triumph would reveal more than either anger or anxiety.

Gilbert remained perfectly impassible.

“At least,” said the queen to herself, “he ought to have manifested some slight satisfaction.”

Chapter III

The Council

THE king entered the room quickly and heavily, as was his custom. He had a busy, inquisitive air, that contrasted strangely with the icy rigidity of the queen’s demeanor.

The fresh complexion of the king had not abandoned him. Having risen early, and feeling quite proud of the sound health he enjoyed by inhaling the morning air, he was breathing noisily, and stepped out vigorously on the floor.

“The doctor,” said he,—”what has become of the doctor?”

“Good-morning, Sire. How do you do this morning? Do you feel much fatigued?”

“I have slept six hours: that is my allowance. I am very well. My mind is clear. You look rather pale, Madame. I was told that you had sent for the doctor.”

“Here is Doctor Gilbert,” said the queen, stepping from before the recess of a window, in which the doctor had concealed himself till that moment.

The king’s brow at once cleared up. Then:—

“Ah! I forgot,” said he. “You sent for the doctor. Have you been unwell?”

The queen blushed.

“You blush!” exclaimed Louis XVI.

She turned crimson.

“Another secret,” said the king.

What secret, Sire?” exclaimed the queen haughtily.

“You do not understand me. I tell you that you, who have your own favorite physicians,—you would not have sent for Doctor Gilbert, unless you felt the desire, which I know—”

“What desire?”

“You always have to conceal your sufferings from me.”

“Ah!” exclaimed the queen, regaining courage.

“Yes,” continued Louis XVI., “but take good care. Monsieur Gilbert is one of my confidential friends; and if you tell him anything he will be sure to tell it me.”

Gilbert smiled.

“As for that, no, Sire,” said he.

“Well, then, the queen is corrupting my people!”

Marie Antoinette gave one of those little stifled laughs which imply merely a wish to interrupt a conversation, or that the conversation is very tedious.

Gilbert understood her; but the king did not.

“Let us see, doctor,” said he; “as it seems to amuse the queen, tell me what she has been saying to you.”

“I was asking the doctor,” said Marie Antoinette, in her turn, “why you had sent for him so early. I must, indeed, confess that his presence at Versailles, at so unusual an hour perplexes me and makes me uneasy.”

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