pression on him, that he could not imagine anything in the world more charming; and if he suffered at leaving him, it was much less from the fear of being devoured by the dragon, than from being deprived of the presence of one so dear to him.
The King would have a general order included in Fortuné's commission, for all his subjects to aid and assist him whenever he should stand in need; after which he took leave of the King, and that nothing might be remarked in his behaviour, he went to the Queen, who was sitting at her toilette, surrounded by several of her ladies. She changed colour when he appeared; what had she not to reproach herself with on his account? He saluted her respectfully, and asked her, if she would honour him with her commands, as he was on the point of departing. These last words completely disconcerted her; and Floride, who knew not what the Queen had plotted against the Chevalier, was thunderstruck. She would willingly have had some private conversation with him, but he avoided carefully so embarrassing an interview.
"I pray the gods," said the Queen, "that you may conquer, and return triumphant." "Madam," replied the Chevalier, "your Majesty does me too much honour, and is sufficiently aware of the danger to which I shall be exposed; however, I am full of confidence—perhaps, upon this occasion, I am the only one who does hope." The Queen understood very well what he meant; no doubt she would have replied to this reproach, had there been fewer persons present.
The Chevalier returned to his lodgings, and ordered his seven excellent servants to take horse, and follow him, as the time had arrived to prove what they could do. There was not one who did not rejoice at being able to serve him. In less than an hour everything was ready, and they set out with him, assuring him they would do their utmost to fulfil his command. In short, as soon as they had reached the open country, and had no fear of being seen, each one gave proof of his address. Tippler drank the water from the lakes, and caught the finest fish for his master's dinner. Swift, on his part, hunted the stags, and caught the hares by their ears, whatever doubles they made. The Good-marksman gave no quarter to either partridges or pheasants; and when the game was killed by one party, the venison by another, and the fish taken out of the water, Strong-back
