“Sire, the Parliament which annoyed your Majesty is no more. The members wish to resign and have handed in their applications to be relieved all together.”
“I told you this was a serious dilemma,” whispered the young countess to her royal lover.
“Very serious,” said Louis, with impatience. “Exile the pack, Maupeou!”
“But they will hold no law courts in exile, Sire.”
“Chancellor,” observed the ruler, gravely; “Law must be dealt out and I see no means but the efficacious if solemn one: I will hold a royal and special tribunal. Those gentry shall tremble for once.”
“Sire, you are the greatest King in the whole world!”
“Yes, indeed,” cried the chancellor, Chon and her fortunate sister like an echo.
“That is more than the whole world says, though,” muttered the King.
CHAPTER XVII.
THE SECRET SOCIETY LODGE.
THE famous royal special court, the “Bed of Justice,” (which is the French equivalent for the “Star Chamber,”) was held with all the ceremonial which royal pride required on one hand and the intriguers who urged their master to this exercise of royal claims, on the other.