midnight
`` I cry your Majesty 's good pardon , '' she faltered . `` I had urgent business with M. de St. Quentin -- I did not guess he was with your Majesty -- '' `` The king 's business is glad to step aside for yours , mademoiselle . '' She curtseyed , blushing , hiding her eyes under their sooty lashes ; thinking as I did , I made no doubt , here was a king indeed . His Majesty went on : `` I can well believe , mademoiselle , 't is no trifling matter brings you at midnight to our rough camp . We will not delay you further , but be at pains to remember that if in anything Henry of France can aid you he stands at your command . '' -LSB- Illustration : ON THE WAY TO ST. DENIS . -RSB- He made her a noble bow and took her hand to kiss , when she , like a child that sees itself losing a protector , clutched his hand in her little trembling fingers , her wet eyes fixed imploringly on his face .