THE TRIBUTE OF ROSES 



205 



"WHAT HAS INSPIRED THEE SO WELL?" 



Sending for Marie, the queen, by a 

 series of delicate questions, found that 

 Fhilibert's love was fully returned. 



■'But, your gracious majesty, I have said 

 over and over again to Count Philibert, 

 'Monseigneur, thine is an ancient race. 

 Thy ancestors left a dozen turreted castles 

 which adorn and defend France. Thou 

 should have a wife worthy of thy great- 

 ness, and I am only the daughter of a 

 man of science and virtue. Permit me, 

 then, to refuse thy homage.' " 



"Proud girl," said the queen, playfully 

 tapping Marie on the cheek, "then it is 

 only the difference in thy rank that pre- 

 vents thee from making the count happy 



"Yes, your majesty," was the gentle 

 admission. 



"We shall see, we shall see," said the 

 queen, smiling mysteriously. "Go thou to 

 thy slumber. I would that thy cheeks 

 rival the roses in the garden tomorrow." 

 And she dismissed her. 



The convening of parliament the next 

 day found the queen and all her court in 



attendance. All the brilliance of costumes 

 and decorations of the time was evident. 

 The succession of de Bergerac was the 

 first case called. Making a deferential 

 bow to the queen, the Count de la Marche 

 proceeded to make a clear and luminous 

 statement of the case. He offered con- 

 clusions based upon strict legal rules with 

 such force and eloquence that his opinions 

 were adopted without demur by the as- 

 sembled magistrates. 



"Count," said the queen, "we thank 

 thee for the marvelous proof of thy learn- 

 ing and wisdom thou hast just given us. 

 But, be candid. Tell us what has inspired 

 thee so well?" 



"The voice of an angel descended from 

 heaven to recall me to my duty," was his 

 reply. 



"I know , it," said the queen, "and I 

 wish to credit thee for having followed the 

 good advice this angel gave thee. Mon- 

 sieur Pierre Dubuisson, thou art created 

 chancellor of France, and thou, my dear 

 Marie, after tomorrow thou shalt bfi 



