“The Court of the King of France.”
“Ah! You have seen King Francis?”
“Yes.”
“What is he like?”
“Brave, handsome, noble!”
“So is my King too. You will have to stop with me in England and serve King Henry.”
While Denis accompanied his new-found friend the talk went on in the big wainscotted dining-room, and the King, who was leaning back in his chair, had finished a long story of the chase, when his host half rose.
“If you will excuse me, my lord, for a few minutes,” he said, “I have to give an order as to your departure to-morrow?”
Francis made an inclination of assent.
“When you visit France,” he said, “I trust, sir, that I shall be able to make you some return for your kindness to me and to my followers here.” And then a minute later, left alone with his two companions, the King yawned. “Gentlemen,” he exclaimed, “do not let me detain you.” And Leoni and Saint Simon rose, the doctor hesitating a moment at the door.