CHAPTER VIII. 'LE BROUILON'

But never more the same two sister pearls Ran down the silken thread to kiss each other. --Tennyson

Berenger was obliged to crave permission from the King to spend some hours in riding with Osbert to the first hostel on their way, to make arrangements for the relay of horses that was to meet them there, and for the reception of Veronique, Eustacie's maid, who was to be sent off very early in the morning on a pillion behind Osbert, taking with her the articles of dress that would be wanted to change her mistress from the huntress maid of honour to the English dame.

It was not long after he had been gone that a sound of wheels and trampling horses was heard in one of the forest drives. Charles, who was amusing himself with shooting at a mark together with Sidney and Teligny, handed his weapon to an attendant, and came up with looks of restless anxiety to his Queen, who was placed in her chair under the tree, with the Admiral and her ladies round her, as judges of the prize.

'Here is _le brouillon_,' he muttered. 'I thought we had been left in peace too long.'

Elisabeth, who Brantome says was water, while her husband was fire, tried to murmur some hopeful suggestion; and poor little Eustacie, clasping her hands, could scarcely refrain from uttering the cry, 'Oh, it is my uncle! Do not let him take me!'

The next minute there appeared four horses greatly heated and jaded, drawing one of the court coaches; and as it stopped at the castle gate, two ladies became visible within it--the portly form of Queen Catherine, and on the back seat the graceful figure of Diane de Ribaumont.

Answer the following questions:
1. What does Brantome compare Elisabeth to?
2. Who was fire?
3. Who was the author of the opening quote?
4. Where was Berenger hoping to go?
5. What was he hoping to get there?
6. Who would meet him there?
7. Who is that?
8. What would Veronique have with her?
9. Would these be her mistress' normal clothes?
10. What type of clothing would they be?
11. Could Berenger make this decision on his own?
12. Who did he have to ask?
13. Who else would be going with him?
14. Who else was in the forest?
15. Was anyone else important there?
16. What was Charles doing?
17. By himself?
18. What was the Queen doing?
19. Was Eustacie happy to hear the horses coming?
20. Why not?

Numbered answers:
1. water
2. her husband
3. Tennyson
4. A hostel
5. relay of horses
6. Veronique
7. Eustacie's maid
8. articles of dress
9. No
10. English dame
11. No
12. the King
13. Osbert
14. Charles
15. the Queen
16. shooting at a mark
17. No
18. placed in her chair under the tree as a judge
19. No
20. Oh, it is my uncle! Do not let him take me!'