"Well, I hope so; but since it would be so trying to him to leave Paris, I hope you are not also, like him, the slave of some passion?"
"I never was more free, sire."
"Oh! I thought you were in love with a beautiful lady?"
"Yes, sire, so I was; but imagine that this evening, after having given my lesson to Du Bouchage, I went to see her, with my head full of his love story, and, believing myself almost as much in love as he, I found a trembling frightened woman, and thinking I had disturbed her somehow, I tried to reassure her, but it was useless. I interrogated her, but she did not reply. I tried to embrace her, and she turned her head away. I grew angry, and we quarreled: and she told me she should never be at home to me any more."'
"Poor Joyeuse; what did you do?"
"Pardieu, sire! I took my hat and cloak, bowed, and went out, without once looking back."
"Bravo, Joyeuse; it was courageous."
"The more so, sire, that I thought I heard her sigh."
"But you will return?"
"No, I am proud."