"Ah! ah!" said he, "you are very late, gentlemen."
"It is scarcely ten o'clock, monseigneur," said Coconnas.
The duke drew out his watch.
"That is true," said he. "And yet every one has gone to sleep in the Louvre."
"Yes, monsieur, but we are here at your orders. Must we admit into the chamber of your highness the gentlemen who are with the King until he retires?"
"On the contrary, go into the small reception-room and dismiss every one."
The young men obeyed, carried out the order, which surprised no one, because of the well-known character of the duke, and returned to him.
"Monseigneur," said Coconnas, "your highness will probably either go to bed or work, will you not?"
"No, gentlemen; you may have leave of absence until to-morrow."
"Well, well," whispered Coconnas into La Mole's ear, "the court is going to stay up all night, apparently. It will be devilishly pleasant. Let us have our share of it."