"Ah! it is well M. le Contrôleur-Général des Finances should tremble sometimes, even if only before his valet-de-chambre," sighed Louis XV with comic pathos.
"But, Sire, I tremble very often!" protested Lord Eglinton.
"I' faith he speaks truly," laughed Mme. de Pompadour, "since he trembles before his wife."
"And we tremble before M. le Contrôleur," concluded the King gaily.
"Before me, Sire?"
"Aye, indeed, since our Parliaments have made you our dragon."
"A good-tempered, meek sort of dragon, Sire, you'll graciously admit."
"That we will, milor, and gladly!" said Louis XV, now with somewhat too exuberant good-humour; "and you'll not have cause to regret that meekness, for your King hath remained your friend."
Then, as Lord Eglinton seemed either too much overcome by the amazing condescension, or too bashful to respond, his Majesty continued more sedately:
"We are about to prove our friendship, milor."