CHAPTER XLIV. THE GALIMAFRE

Speats and raxes, speats and raxes, speat and raxes Lord Somerville's billet

Never wont to let the grass grow under his feet, Henry of Navarre was impatient of awaiting his troops at Pont de Dronne, and proposed to hasten on to Quinet, as a convenient centre for collecting the neighbouring gentry for conference. Thus, early on Monday, a party of about thirty set forth on horseback, including the Ribaumonts, Rayonette being perched by turns in front of her father or mother, and the Duke de Quinet declaring that he should do his best to divide the journey into stages not too long for Philip, since he was anxious to give his mother plenty of time to make preparations for her royal guest.

He had, however, little reckoned on the young King's promptitude. The first courier he had dispatched was overtaken at a _cabaret_ only five leagues from Pont de Dronne, baiting his horse, as he said; the second was found on the road with a lame horse; and the halt a day's journey remained beyond it. The last stage had been ridden, much to the Duke's discontent, for it brought them to a mere village inn, with scarcely any accommodation. The only tolerable bed was resigned by the King to the use of Philip, whose looks spoke the exhaustion of which his tongue scorned to complain. So painful and feverish a night ensued that Eustacie was anxious that he should not move until the Duke should, as he promised, send a mule litter back for him; but this proposal he resented; and in the height of his constitutional obstinacy, appeared booted and spurred at the first signal to mount.

1. Who is anxious about the military arrival?
2. Where were they arriving at?
3. Where did he suggest would be a good meeting point?
4. When did they head out?
5. How many went?
6. How did they travel?
7. Who was before her father?
8. For whom was the time shortened?
9. Who were preparations being made for?
10. What happened to the first messenger?
11. And the second messenger?
12. Where was the last stage led?
13. Was it a big inn?
14. Who got the best bed?
15. Who felt anxious that night?

Provide a numbered list of answers.
1. Henry of Navarre
2. Pont de Dronne
3. Quinet
4. early on Monday
5. about thirty
6. on horseback
7. Rayonette
8. Philip
9. the King
10. he was overtaken
11. he was found on the road with a lame horse
12. a village inn
13. no
14. Philip
15. Eustacie