That will not be sufficient to give her any clue to your
being here, but when she sees you she will recall my warning, and
act prudently."
Presently they entered the immense apartment, or rather series of
apartments, in which the receptions took place.
Here were gathered all the ladies of the court; all the courtiers,
wits, and nobles of France, except those who were in their places
with the army. There was little air of ceremony. All present were
more or less acquainted with each other.
In a room screened off by curtains, the king was playing at cards
with a few highly privileged members of the court, and he would
presently walk through the long suite of rooms, but while at cards
his presence in no ways weighed upon the assembly. Groups of ladies
sat on fauteuils surrounded by their admirers, with whom volleys of
light badinage, fun, and compliments were exchanged.
Leaving Rupert talking to some of those to whom he had been
introduced in the king's antechamber, and who were anxious to obey
the royal command to make themselves agreeable to him, the Marquis
de Pignerolles sauntered across the room to a young lady who was
sitting with three others, surrounded by a group of gentlemen.
Rupert was watching him, and saw him stoop over the girl, for she
was little more, and say a few words in her ear. A surprised and
somewhat puzzled expression passed across her face, and then as her
father left her she continued chatting as merrily as before.
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