“The decorations of the apartments, I suppose, don’t please him.”

“Oh!

he has not even thought of that. No, indeed, it seems that what has dissatisfied the king — ”

“I will tell you, monsieur le comte, — he is dissatisfied at finding himself the fourth person at a rendezvous of this kind. How is it possible you could not have guessed that?”

“Why, how is it likely I could have done so, dear M. Malicorne, when I followed the king’s instructions to the very letter?”

“Did his majesty really insist on your being present?”

“Positively.”