Peregrina,[1] that is to say, Pilgrim, because it came from a traveller.
The secretary took leave of her, confused by such great liberality, and paid his respects to the three Princes, with whom he remained some time, in order to gain such information as he could about them. He returned to make his report to the Queen-Mother, who was confirmed by it in her suspicions. He told her, that Cheri had no star, but that jewels fell from his hair, as from that of his brothers, and that in his opinion he was the handsomest. That they came from a great distance; that their father and mother had given them only a certain time to see foreign countries. This latter point rather staggered the Queen, and she fancied sometimes, that they were not the King's children. She was thus wavering between fear and hope, when the King, who was very fond of hunting, rode by their house. The grand equerry, who accompanied him, told him in passing, that it was there, by his orders, he had lodged Belle-Etoile and her brothers. "The Queen has advised me," replied the King, "not to see them; she fears that they come from some country where the plague rages, and that they might have brought the infection with them." "The fair young stranger," replied the grand equerry, "is indeed very dangerous; but, Sire, I should fear her eyes more than the plague." "In sooth," said the King, "I agree with you," and immediately putting spurs to his horse, he heard the sound of instruments and of voices; he drew up near a large saloon, the windows of which were open, and after having listened with great pleasure to a sweet symphony, he advanced again.
The sound of horses induced the Princes to look out: as soon as they saw the King, they saluted him respectfully, and hastening to the door, received him with joyful countenances and many marks of reverence, falling at his feet and embracing his knees, while the Princess kissed his hands as though she recognised him as their father. He embraced them fervently, and his heart was so agitated, he could not imagine the cause of it. He told them, that they must come to the Palace, that he wished them to be his guests, and to present
- ↑ An amusing derivation for this celebrated jewel, which Madame d'Aulnoy saw Marie d'Orleans, queen of Charles the Second of Spain, wear on her entry into Madrid, January 13, 1680. Vide Appendix, page 609.
