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"It is froe, I assure you,

nothing ratulate you"

"But--"

"I say I congratulate you!"

"But it is nothing"

"Oh, I understand And see, the King is about to rise Go forward,

Monsieur," he continued benevolently "A young man should show himself

Besides, his Majesty likes you well," he added, with a leer He had an

unpleasant sense of humour, had his Majesty's Captain of the Guard; and

this evening sononville held too good an opinion of hied, he pushed his way to the front of the

circle During his absence with his betrothed, the crowd in the Charown thin, the candles had burned an inch shorter in the sconces

But though many who had been there had left, the 's return to his seat had given the coaiety, common in the unhealthy life of the Court, prevailed

At a table abreast of the King, Montpensier and Marshal Cosse were dicing

and disputing, with now a yell of glee, and now an oath, that betrayed

which way fortune inclined At the back of the King's chair, Chicot, his

gentle his cards,