Madame Serpent Read Free

Naples.’
    ‘She will,’ said Marguerite. ‘For we do not bargain too hotly when we buy with other people’s money.’
    ‘Particularly when the bills may never be paid!’
    ‘Enough!’ said Francis with a hint of asperity. ‘Clement is a slippery rogue, but I can hold him to his promises.’
    ‘How will the child arrive?’ asked Anne.
    ‘Not without much pomp and many rich gifts as well as the Holy Pope
    himself. Not only will he bring her, but he will stay for the marriage.’
    ‘What!’ cried Anne. ‘Does he not trust us to make an honest woman of her?’
    ‘Doubtless,’ put in Marguerite, ‘he thinks our Henry will rob her of her
    virginity and send her back.’
    ‘After filching her jewels and her dowry!’
    Francis laughed. ‘He does not know our Henry. He can rob a banquet of its gaiety, but never a maiden of her virginity. Holy Mother! I wish the boy had a bit more fire in him. I could wish he resembled his god-sire across the water, for all that fellow’s pomp and perfidy.’
    ‘I hear,’ said Anne, ‘that his Grace of England was a fine figure of a man.
    And still is, though mounting fast to middle age.’
    ‘We are of an age,’ growled Francis.
    ‘But,’ mocked Anne, ‘you are a god, my love. Gods do not grow old.’
    ‘I am thinking of the boy,’ said Marguerite. ‘Now that he is to become a
    bridegroom something should be done. He should have a friend, a good friend, who will show him how to lose his fear of us all and, most of all, his father; someone explain that he is awkward largely because he lacks confidence in himself, someone to explain that the only way to overcome the effects of those unhappy years in Spain is to banish them from his thoughts instead of brooding on them.’
    ‘As usual you are right, my darling,’ said Francis. ‘A friend― a dashing
    young man of charm and beauty, a gay young man with many fair friends.’
    ‘Dearest, it was not exactly what I had in mind. There is no man at court who would have that subtle touch necessary. Spain is branded on the boy’s brain― how deeply, none of us know; but I fear very deeply. It needs a gently hand to erase such evil memories. He must recover his dignity through a subtle, gentle influence.’
    ‘A woman, in very fact!’ said Anne.
    ‘A clever woman,’ said Marguerite. ‘Not a young and flighty creature of his own age. A woman― wise, beautiful, and above all, sympathetic.’
    ‘Yourself!’ said Francis.
    Marguerite shook her head. ‘Gladly would I perform this miracle―’
    ‘Miracle it would have to be!’ put in Francis grimly. ‘Transform that oaf, ingrained with Spanish solemnity, into a gay courtier of France! Yes― a
    miracle!’
    ‘I could not do it,’ said Marguerite. ‘He would not allow it for I have
    witnessed his humiliations. I have been present, Francis, when you have
    upbraided him. I have seen the sullen red blood in his face and the angry glitter in his eyes; I have seen that tight little mouth of his trying to say words which would equal your own in brilliance. He does not realize, poor boy, that wit comes from the brain before the lips. No! He would never respond to my
    treatment. I can but make the plan; some other must carry it out.’
    ‘Then Anne here―’
    ‘My well-loved lord, your demands upon me are so great that I could serve none other; and my zeal in serving you is so intense that I should have nothing but languid indifference for the affairs of others.’
    They laughed, and Marguerite said quickly: ‘Leave it to me. I will find the woman.’
    Francis put an arm about each of them. ‘My darlings,’ he said, and kissed first Marguerite, then Anne, ‘what should I do without you? That son of mine is like a hair in my shirt― a continual irritation― passing and recurring. The Virgin bless you both. Now let us dance. Let us be gay. Musicians! Give us some of your best.’
    The King led Anne in the dance, and was delighted that his mistress and his sister had