'Countess!'—he began impressively.
'This morning I was so unwell, and slept so little—'
''Tis the mice in this old château, Countess,' said the King, glancing round him suspiciously; 'and this old cabinet—some of M. le Duc de Sully's furniture,' he added, giving it a knock that made my heart to leap, 'seems a very receptacle for them. We must have it broken and burned!'
The Countess was terrified.
'I will go, sire,' she faltered.
'Thanks, dear Clara; your hand.'
He led her out with his jaunty step again, and they retired.
I heard the wheels of the royal carriage in the avenue a moment after, and then the hoofs of the musketeer escort. As these sounds died away, my heart sank within me, for I was locked in the cabinet, and its key was in the bosom of the Countess, who might return to release me heaven alone knew when!