pitaliere.
Do not let us speak any further of her, but rather let us respect those
who throw themselves at the feet of Heaven."

Anne had sufficient power over himself not to show the delight this
revelation gave him.

He continued: "This is something new, for you have never spoken to me
about it."

"It is indeed quite new, for she has only recently taken the veil; but I
am sure that her resolution, like my own, is irrevocable. Do not
therefore seek to detain me any longer, but embrace me, as you love me.
Permit me to thank you for all your kindness, for all your patience, and
for your unceasing affection for a poor heart-broken man, and farewell!"

Joyeuse looked his brother full and steadily in the face; he looked at
him like one whose feelings had overcome him, and who relied upon a
display of feeling to work upon the feelings of others. But Henri
remained unmoved at this exhibition of emotion on his brother's part,
and replied in no other way but by the same mournful smile.

Joyeuse embraced his brother, and allowed him to depart.

"Go," he said to himself, "all is not yet finished, and, however great
your hurry may be, I shall not be long before I shall have overtaken
you."

He went to the king, who was taking his breakfast in bed, with Chicot
sitting by his side.

"Good-day! good-day!" said the king to Joyeuse. "I am very glad to see
you, Anne; I was afraid you would lie in bed all day, you indolent
fellow. How is my brother?"

"Alas! sire, I do not know; I am come to speak to you about mine."

"Which one?"--"Henri."

"Does he still wish to become a monk?"

"More so than ever."

"And will he take the vows?"

"Yes, sire."

"He is quite right, too."

"How so, sire?"

"Because men go straight to heaven that way."

"Oh!" said Chicot to the king, "men go much faster still by the way your
brother is taking."

"Will your majesty permit me to ask a question?"

"Twenty, Joyeuse, twenty. I am as melancholy as I can possibly be at
Chateau-Thierry, and your questions will distract my attention a
little."

"You know all the religious houses in the kingdom, sire, I believe?"

"As well as I do a coat of arms."

"Is there one which goes by the name of Les Hospitalieres, sire?"

"It is a very small, highly distinguished, excessively strict, and
severe order, composed of twenty ladies, canonesses of Saint Joseph."

"Do they take the vows there?"

"Yes, as a matter of favor, and upon a presentatio