CHAPTER XIII.
THE DORMITORY.
In less than five minutes they arrived at their destination. The duke took out a key, and, after crossing a court, opened an arched door, the bottom of which was overgrown with long grass. They went along a dark corridor, and then up a staircase to a room, of which D'Epernon had also the key. He opened the door, and showed the king forty-five beds, and in each of them a sleeper.
The king looked at all this with a troubled curiosity. "Well," said he, "who are these people?"
"People who sleep to-night, but will not do so to-morrow night."
"Why not?"
"That your majesty may sleep in peace."
"Explain yourself. Are these your friends?"