interview with him. She knew that he was accustomed very early every morning to walk in a little wood in front of the windows of her apartment. She arose at daybreak, and, watching the path he was likely to take, saw him approaching with a melancholy and abstracted air. She instantly called Floride. "Thou hast spoken too truly," said she; "Fortuné is without doubt in love with some lady in this court, or in his own country—see how sad he looks." "I have observed this sadness in all his conversations," replied Floride; "and if it were possible for you to forget him, you would do well." "It is too late," exclaimed the Queen, sighing deeply; "but, as he has entered that green arbour, let us go there; I will have thee only to follow me." The girl did not dare to stop the Queen, however much she wished to do so; for she feared she would induce Fortuné to fall in love with her, and a rival of such exalted rank is always very dangerous. As soon as the Queen had taken a few steps in the wood, she heard the Chevalier singing; his voice was very sweet; he had composed these words to a new air:—
"How rare a thing it is for Love and Peace
To dwell together in the same fond heart!
For ever with my joys, my fears increase,
To see them, like a morning dream, depart!
Dread of the future robs my soul of rest,
Then most unhappy when it most is blest!"
Fortuné had made these verses in consequence of his sentiments for the King, the favour he had shown him, and from the fear he was in of being recognised, and forced to leave a court he preferred living in to any other in the world. The Queen, who stopped to listen, was extremely distressed, "What am I going to attempt?" said she softly to Floride. "This ungrateful young man despises the honour of pleasing me; he thinks himself happy—he seems satisfied with his conquest—and he sacrifices me to another." "He is at that age," replied Floride, "when reason has not yet established its rights; if I dared advise your Majesty, it would be to forget a giddy little fellow, who is not capable of appreciating his good fortune." The Queen would much rather her confidant had spoken to her in a different manner; she cast an angry look at her, and, hastily advancing, she quickly entered the arbour where the knight was; she pretended to be surprised to find him there, and to be vexed at his seeing her in
