After the delivery of the keys, the king and queen remained for some time listening to the addresses of the magistrates; after which they left the scaffolding. They immediately took to horse again; and the cavalcade rode slowly through other streets on their way to the building called the Prince's Court, where a banquet was prepared for them, to which the chief men of Bruges and the principal Lilyards had also been invited. Meanwhile, the members of the companies returned to their homes, and the public festival was at an end.
Night had now set in; the guests had long since departed, and Queen Joanna was alone with her waiting-woman in her chamber. Already she had laid aside a great part of her cumbrous magnificence, and was busied in disarraying herself of all her jewelry. The hasty movements of her hands, and the irritable expression of her countenance, evinced the most violent impatience. The attendant in waiting could do nothing aright; and got from her mistress only sharp and angry words; necklaces and earrings were thrown hither and thither, as things of naught; while expressions of annoyance flowed incessantly from her mouth.
In a loose white robe the enraged queen kept pacing her chamber to and fro in deep thought, while her flaming eyes wandered fiercely around. At last her attendant, quite disconcerted at her strange manner and violent gesticulations, approached her, and respectfully inquired:
"Will your majesty be pleased to remain up any longer? Shall I go for a fresh light?"
To which the queen answered impatiently:
"No, there is light enough! Cease to annoy me with your tiresome questions. Leave me alone; begone, I tell you! Go to the anteroom, and wait there for my uncle De Chatillon. Let him come to me forthwith—go!"
While the damsel proceeded to execute the orders thus rudely given, Joanna sat down by a table and rested her head upon her hand. In this position she remained for some minutes, thinking upon the insult she had received; then, rising, she paced the room with hasty steps, at the same time violently gesticulating with her hands. At last she spoke in a suppressed voice:
"What! this paltry, insignificant people to put scorn upon me, the Queen of France! an insolent girl to stare me out of countenance! And shall I quietly put up with such an affront?"
A tear of anger glistened upon her burning cheek. Suddenly again she raised her head, and laughed with the malicious joy of a fiend as she continued:
"Oh ye insolent Flemings! you do not yet know Joanna of Navarre! you know not how fearfully her vengeance can fall! Rest and sleep without dread in your rash security! I know of means that will give you a fearful awakening. What a cup of bitterness shall not my hand mix for you! What tears shall I not make you shed! Then at least you shall know my power! Crawl before me you will, and supplicate me, insolent slaves! but you shall not be heard! With joy shall I set my foot upon your stubborn necks. In vain shall you weep and cry; for Joanna of Navarre is inexorable. That you know not yet, but you shall know it."
Hearing her attendant's steps in the passage, she now hastened to compose herself; and standing before a mirror, she gave her countenance a calmer expression, while her whole bearing assumed a more tranquil air. In the art of dissimulation, that great accomplishment of bad princes, Joanna was a perfect adept.
Soon De Chatillon entered the room, and bent one knee to the ground before the queen.
"Messire de Chatillon," she said, giving him her hand to rise, "it seems that you do not pay much attention to my wishes. Did I not appoint you to come to me long ere this?"
"True, madame; but I was detained by the king my master. Believe, I pray you, my illustrious niece, that I have been upon burning coals, so earnest was my desire to fulfil your royal pleasure."
"I thank you for your good-will, Messire; and I am desirous this very day of rewarding you for all your faithful services."
"Gracious princess, it is itself a great boon to me to be permitted to follow and serve your majesty. Only let me always and everjrwhere accompany you. Let others seek office and power; for me, your presence is my best joy; I ask for naught besides."
The queen looked with a contemptuous smile upon the flatterer; for she knew too well how much his heart belied his words. With a peculiar emphasis, therefore, she continued:
"But what if I were to set you over the land of Flanders?"
De Chatillon, who had not reckoned on so speedy an attainment of his great object, almost repented of his words; and for the first moment knew not what answer to make. He soon recovered himself, however, and said:
"If it should please your majesty to give me so great a proof of confidence, I should not for a moment venture to oppose myself to your royal will; but should thankfully, and as a good subject, accept the gift, and kiss your gracious hand with love and reverence."
"Listen, Messire de Chatillon," cried the queen, impatiently; "I did not send for you to hear fine speeches; you will therefore greatly oblige me if you will put all such aside, and tell me without circumlocution, or disguise, what you think of our entry to-day. Has not Bruges given the queen of France and of Navarre a reception beyond all she could have looked or hoped for?"
"I pray you, my illustrious niece, leave these bitter jests, for the scorn that has been done you has touched me to
