_ CHAPTER IX. THE SWISS LAKE
Every one knows this piece of water, which still goes by the same name. An avenue of linden trees skirts each bank, and these avenues were on this day thronged with pedestrians, of all ranks and ages, who had come to enjoy the sight of the sledges and the skating. The toilets of the ladies presented a brilliant spectacle of luxury and gaiety, their high coiffures, gay bonnets with the veils half down, fur mantles, and brilliant silks with deep flounces, were mingled with the orange or blue coats of the gentlemen.
Gay lackeys also, in blue and red, passed among the crowd, looking like poppies and cornflowers blown about by the wind.
Now and then a cry of admiration burst from the crowd, as St. George, the celebrated skater, executed some circle so perfect, that a mathematician could scarcely have found a fault in it.
While the banks of the lake were thus crowded, the ice itself presented a scene not less gay, and still more animated: sledges flew about in all directions. Several dogs, clothed in embroidered velvet, and with plumes of feathers on their heads, looking like fabulous animals, drew a sledge in which sat M. de Lauzun, who was wrapped up in a tiger skin. Here you might see a lady masked, doubtless on account of the cold, in some sledge of a quieter character, while a handsome skater, in a velvet riding-coat, hangs over the back, to assist and direct her progress; whatever they may be saying to each other is quite inaudible, amidst this busy hum of voices; but who can blame a rendezvous which takes place in the open air, and under the eyes of all Versailles? and whatever they may be saying matters to no one else: it is evident that in the midst of this crowd their life is an isolated one; they think only of each other.
All at once a general movement in the crowd announces that they have recognized the queen, who is approaching the lake. A general cry of "Vive la reine!" is heard, and all endeavor to approach as nearly as possible to the place where she has stationed herself. One person alone does not appear to share this feeling, for on her approach he disappears with all his suite as fast as possible in the opposite direction.
"Do you see," said the Comte d'Artois to the queen, whom he had hastened to join, "how my brother Provence flies from you?"
"He fears that I should reproach him."
"Oh, no; it is not that that makes him fly."
"It is his conscience, then."
"Not even that, sister."
"What then?"
"I will tell you. He had just heard that M. de Suffren, our glorious commander, will arrive this evening; and as the news is important, he wishes to leave you in ignorance of it."
"But is the Minister of Marine ignorant of this arrival?"
"Ah, mon Dieu, sister, have you not learned enough of ministers, during the fourteen years you have passed here, as dauphiness and queen, to know that they are always ignorant of precisely what they ought to know? However, I have told him about this, and he is deeply grateful."
"I should think so," said the queen.
"Yes, and I have need of his gratitude, for I want a loan."
"Oh," cried the queen, laughing, "how disinterested you are."
"Sister," said he, "you must want money; I offer you half of what I am going to receive."
"Oh no, brother, keep it for yourself; I thank you, but I want nothing just now."
"Diable! do not wait too long to claim my promise, because if you do, I may not be in a condition to fulfil it."
"In that case I must endeavor to find out some state secret for myself."
"Sister, you begin to look cold."
"Well, here is M. de Taverney returning with my sledge."
"Then you do not want me any longer?"
"No."
"Then send me away, I beg."
"Why? do you imagine you will be in my way?"
"No; it is I who want my liberty."
"Adieu, then."
"Au revoir, dear sister."
"Till when?"
"Till this evening."
"Is there anything to take place to-night, then?"
"Yes; this evening the minister will bring M. de Suffren to the jeu du roi."
"Very well, then, till this evening."
And the young prince, bowing with his habitual elegance, disappeared among the crowd.
Old Taverney, who was one of the nearest spectators of all this, had been watching his son eagerly, and felt almost chagrined at this conversation between the queen and her brother-in-law, as it interrupted the familiar intercourse which his son had before been enjoying; therefore, when the young man returned with the queen's sledge, and, seeing his father, whom he had not met for ten years, advanced towards him, he motioned him away, saying, "We will talk afterwards, when you have left the queen."
Philippe, therefore, returned to the queen, who was getting into the sledge with Andree. Two attendants approached to push it, but she said, "No; I do not wish to go like that; you skate, M. de Taverney? Does he not, Andree?"
"Philippe used to skate remarkably well," replied she.
"And now I dare say he rivals St. George," said the queen.
"I will do my best to justify your majesty's opinion," said he; and putting on his skates, he placed himself behind her sledge, and they commenced their course.
St. George, seeing the queen on the ice, began to execute his most skilful maneuvers, and finished off by going in circles round her sledge, making the most elegant bows each time he passed her.
Then Philippe, moved to emulation, began to push along the sledge with such wonderful rapidity that St. George found no little difficulty in keeping pace with it.
Several people, however, seeing the queen move at this marvelous rate, uttered cries of terror.
"If your majesty desires," said Philippe, "I will stop, or go slower."
"Oh no!" said she, with that enthusiasm which she carried into everything; "oh no! I am not at all afraid; quicker still, chevalier, if you can."
"Oh yes, madame, and you are quite safe; you may trust to me;" and his vigorous arm propelled them at a still increased pace. He emulated the circles of St. George, and flew round as fast with the sledge as could even that experienced skater without it.
Then, leaving these evolutions, he pushed the sledge straight before him, and with such force that he himself remained behind.
St. George, seeing this, made a tremendous effort to gain the sledge before him, but was distanced by Philippe, who once more seized it, turned it, and flew in a new direction.
The air now rang with such acclamations, that Philippe began to feel ashamed.
Then the queen, who had joined the applause with her hands, turned round and said to him, "And now, M. de Taverney, that you have gained the victory, stop, I beg, or you will kill me." _