"It follows, then, my lord," she added, "that you, who are a man of feeling, will soon quit France in order to shut yourself up with your wealth and your relics of the past." Buckingham raised his head and said, "I think not, madame." "What do you mean ?" "On the contrary, I think of leaving England in order to take up my residence in France." It was now Anne of Austria's turn to exhibit surprise.

"Why ?" she said.
"Are you not in favor with the new king ?" "Perfectly so, madame, for his majesty's kindness to me is unbounded." "It cannot," said the queen, "be because your fortune has diminished, for it is said to be enormous." "My income, madame, has never been so large." "There is some secret cause, then ?" "No, madame," said Buckingham, eagerly, "there is nothing secret in my reason for this determination.

I prefer residence in France; I like a court so distinguished by its refinement and courtesy; I like the amusements, somewhat serious in their nature, which are not the amusements of my own country, and which are met with in France." Anne of Austria smiled shrewdly.

"Amusements of a serious nature ?" she said.

"Has your Grace well reflected on their seriousness ?" The duke hesitated.