His head contains but one idea, and that is duty; and as to us poor creatures, he is as insensible as was St.Anthony." At this moment the door that separated the salon from that of the queen opened, and the names of Monsieur de Penthiere and Monsieur de Caussac were called.

The two officers at once passed into the inner room.
"You are either left out in the cold, monsieur le colonel, or you will have the honour of a separate audience," Madame de Chevreuse said.
"As I have been rewarded far above my merits for any service that I have rendered," Hector said quietly, "it is probable that the queen has nothing to say to me.

She was pleased to receive me very graciously this morning, and gave me her hand to kiss, and I assuredly have no right to expect any further favours." In a few minutes the two officers came out, both looking radiant, the queen having graciously presented them with the titles to two estates.

A minute later Hector's name was called, and he went off, with a deep bow to the ladies and a murmured apology for leaving them.
"A loyal spirit, surely," Madame de Chevreuse said; "bizarre, of course, and at present simple as a child.

Moreover, I should say that the atmosphere of the court will not infect him as it has the others.