"He insisted upon it."
"In that case I can easily understand why his majesty is dissatisfied."
"What! dissatisfied that I have so punctually and literally obeyed his orders? I don't understand you."
Malicorne began to scratch his ear as he asked, "What time did the king fix for the rendezvous in your apartment?"
"Two o'clock."
"And you were waiting for the king?"
"Ever since half-past one; for it would have been a fine thing indeed to have been unpunctual with his majesty."
Malicorne, notwithstanding his respect for Saint-Aignan, could not resist shrugging his shoulders. "And the painter," he said, "did the king wish him to be here at two o'clock also?"
"No; but I had him waiting here from mid-day. Far better, you know, for a painter to be kept waiting a couple of hours than the king a single minute."
Malicorne began to laugh to himself. "Come, dear Monsieur Malicorne," said Saint-Aignan, "laugh less at me, and speak a little more freely, I beg."