“In my chamber with madame de Forcalquier.”
“And the prince de Soubise?”
“He has taken flight,” replied I, laughing.
“I suppose so,” returned Louis XV, “he could not bear a long absence from Paris; company he must have.”
“In that respect he resembles you, sire, for you generally consider company as a necessary good.”
He smiled, and then closing his eyes remained for some minutes silent and motionless, after a while he said,
“My head is very heavy, so farewell, my sweet friend, I will endeavour to get some sleep.”
“Sleep, sire!” said I, “and may it prove as healthful and refreshing as I pray it may.”
So saying, I glided out of the room and returned to my friends, I found madame de Mirepoix and the duc de Cossé waiting for me in the anteroom.
“How is the king?” inquired they both in a breath.