"And by whom?" said Louise, innocently.

"By whom? You are a strange girl, my dear. Is that a
question to put to me? I mean everybody; I mean the
courtiers, the nobles; I mean the king."

"Pardon me, my good friend, but as here every one is
accustomed to see us as we are ---- "

"Granted; but that is about to change, and we shall be
ridiculous, even for Blois; for close to us will be seen the
fashions from Paris, and they will perceive that we are in
the fashion of Blois! It is enough to make one despair!"

"Console yourself, mademoiselle."

"Well, so let it be! After all, so much the worse for those
who do not find me to their taste!" said Montalais
philosophically.

"They would be very difficult to please," replied Raoul,
faithful to his regular system of gallantry.

"Thank you, Monsieur le Vicomte. We were saying, then, that
the king is coming to Blois?"

"With all the court."

"Mesdemoiselles de Mancini, will they be with them?"