"Well, then, Monsieur le Comte, if you wish the king to be a little more satisfied the next time he comes—"
"Ventre saint-gris! as his grandfather used to say; of course I wish it."
"Well, all you have to do is, when the king comes to-morrow, to be obliged to go away on a most pressing matter of business, which cannot possibly be postponed, and stay away for twenty minutes."
"What! leave the king alone for twenty minutes?" cried Saint-Aignan, in alarm.
"Very well, do as you like; don't pay any attention to what I say," said Malicorne, moving toward the door.
"Nay, nay, dear Monsieur Malicorne; on the contrary, go on—I begin to understand you. But the painter—"
"Oh! the painter must be half an hour late."
"Half an hour—do you really think so?"
"Yes. I do, decidedly."
"Very well, then, I will do as you tell me."