The King looked at my gun.
“It is,” said he, “a gun manufactured at Versailles. Where did you procure it?”
“The Duc d’Enghien gave it to me, sire.”
“Yes,” said the King, “the Condés have all the benefits on this side,—‘the department of the Meuse,’ as they call it.”
Then looking towards me: “Have you ever served princes?”
“Sire,” said I, smiling, “is it necessary to have served princes in order to receive a present from them?”
The Queen bent her regards upon the King.
“Strange!” said she.
I retreated a pace.