"I prefer that, as it is an acknowledgement of your mistake." "No!" exclaimed Philip, "I do not draw back, and I will prove all I asserted.

I spoke of preference and of visits, did I not?
Well, listen." Anne of Austria prepared herself to listen, with that love of gossip which the best woman living and the best mother, were she a queen even, always finds in being mixed up with the petty squabbles of a household.
"Well," said Philip, "tell me one thing." "What is that ?" "Why does my wife retain an English court about her ?" said Philip, as he crossed his arms and looked his mother steadily in the face, as if he were convinced that she could not answer the question.
"For a very simple reason," returned Anne of Austria; "because the English are her countrymen, because they have expended large sums in order to accompany her to France, and because it would hardly be polite -- not politic, certainly--to dismiss abruptly those members of the English nobility who have not shrunk from any devotion or sacrifice." "A wonderful sacrifice indeed," returned Philip, "to desert a wretched country to come to a beautiful one, where a greater effect can be produced for a guinea that can be procured elsewhere for four! Extraordinary devotion, really, to travel a hundred leagues in company with a woman one is in love with!" "In love, Philip! think what you are saying.

Who is in love with Madame ?" "The Duke of Buckingham.

Perhaps you will defend him, too ?" Anne of Austria blushed and smiled at the same time.

The name of the Duke of Buckingham recalled certain recollections of a very tender and melancholy nature.