"The governor has locked them up in the stables for fear robbers might get at them. As for the escort, they are asleep, by orders of the governor, too."
"Then I will walk out of the castle alone."
"Hardly, for the gates are locked and the keys hang at the governor's belt."
"Pest on it! we have one castle strictly guarded!"
The countess lounged on a divan, playing with a rose, less red than her coral lips.
"But we might go in quest of him," she said, rising. "Chon, carry the light before his majesty."
The little procession of three had barely reached the end of the first hall before a whiff of delicious odor set the royal mouth watering.
"You smell supper, my lord," explained the countess. "I thought you were going to partake with me, and I had a feast prepared."
The king reflected that if he went on to Marly he would find nothing but a cold collation. Here, through a doorway open he saw a table set for two. The odor continued to scent the house.