"No; I went to prepare a surprise!
"Surprise?"
"Yes; which you are to give to the king."
"And will it cost much?"
"Oh! a hundred pistoles you will give Lebrun."
"A painting?—Ah! all the better! And what is this painting to represent?"
"I will tell you; then at the same time, whatever you may say of it, I went to see the dresses for our poets."
"Bah! and they will be rich and elegant?"
"Splendid! There will be few great monsiegneurs with so good. People will see the difference there is between the courtiers of wealth and those of friendship."
"Ever generous and graceful, dear prelate!"