Page 70 - Princess Belle-Etoile and Prince Cherie

staggered the Queen, and she fancied
sometimes, that they were not the King's
children. She was thus wavering between fear
and hope, when the King, who was very fond of
hunting, rode by their house. The grand
equerry, who accompanied him, told him in
passing, that it was there, by his orders, he had
lodged Belle-Etoile and her brothers. "The

Queen has advised me," replied the King, "not
to see them; she fears that they come from
some country where the plague rages, and that
they might have brought the infection with
them." "The fair young stranger," replied the
grand equerry, "is indeed very dangerous; but,
Sire, I should fear her eyes more than the

plague." "In sooth," said the King, "I agree with
you," and immediately putting spurs to his
horse, he heard the sound of instruments and of
voices; he drew up near a large saloon, the
windows of which were open, and after having
listened with great pleasure to a sweet
symphony, he advanced again.
The sound of horses induced the Princes to look
out: as soon as they saw the King, they saluted

him respectfully, and hastening to the door,
received him with joyful countenances and
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