"To-morrow at eleven?"
"At our breakfast hour."
"Impossible, my darling, for I must away; I have important business with Sartines."
"Oh, if you cannot even stay supper——"
The king saw her make a sign to Chon, and suspecting a trap, he called for his horses to go. Delighted with this display of his free will, he walked to the door, but his gentlemen in waiting were not in the outer room. The castle was mute, even in its echoes to his call.
He ran and opened the window, but the courtyard was deserted. The tremulous moon shone on the river and lit up the calm night. This harmony was wasted on the king, who was far from poetic, artistic or musing, but rather material.
"Come, come, countess!" he broke forth in vexation; "put an end to this joke."
"Sire, I have no authority here," said the countess. "It is a royal residence, and the power is confided in the governor. And Governor Zamore is going the rounds with his guard of four men."
The king rather forced a smile.
"This is rather funny," he said. "But I want the horses put to my coach."