The Queen could not help admiring the picture in spite of her surprise at the intrusion. She drew nearer, and then, to her complete astonishment, saw that the flower-crowned nymph was none other than the pretty maid of Mlle de Tricotrin. She had always liked the girl for her gentleness and modesty, no less than for her evident devotion to her mistress. Still her presence in the park alone was a liberty that could not be passed over. Margaret called her gently by her name.
Penelophon rose hastily when she saw who spoke, and cast a whole lapful of flowers into the stream as she made her humble reverence. The water seemed to seize the blossoms greedily, and hurried away with its prize, as though the maid had lost all that could tempt it to linger.
"My girl," said the Queen, with severity, though not unkindly, "why are you here? Do you not know that no one is allowed in the park without leave?"
"Yes, madam," answered Penelophon, with quiet confidence, "but Trecenito gave me leave."
"Who do you say, girl?" cried the Queen, drawing herself up, and speaking with great asperity.
"I mean his majesty gave me leave," answered Penelophon, looking down and blushing faintly in her confusion.
"But how did you come here?" asked the Queen, trying to conceal the interest which a sudden suspicion gave her.
"From the old hunting-lodge, madam," answered Penelophon, "where Captain Pertinax and the gendarmes are."
"But what were you doing there?" said the Queen.
"Trecen---- I mean his majesty," said Penelophon, looking down again, "told Captain Pertinax he was to keep me there till his majesty was resolved where I was to go."
"Where you were to go, child?" echoed the Queen, assuming her kindest tone, for she felt she had found a clue to the mystery, and did not want to frighten the girl. "But why are you not to be with Mlle de Tricotrin? How did you come to leave her?"
"Do you not know, madam?" said Penelophon, with a look of pain in her trusting eyes. "Did my good mistress not tell you?"
"Then I will come and tell you. I will come and whisper in your ear; I dare not speak it loud. I hardly dare to think of it, lest the thing should come again."
She spoke in a low, frightened voice, and then stepped in trembling agitation across the brook, and came to the Queen's side.