"Nevertheless, I request your majesty to give me a trial."
"Very well, sire. Can you read my riddle, and tell me at what hour the sun will rise to-morrow?"
"Yes, your majesty. The sun will rise at three o'clock," said Louis, with a triumphant smile.
Everybody wondered. Marie Antoinette laughed her silvery laugh, and clapped her little white hands with joy. "Bravo, bravo, my royal OEdipus!" cried she, gayly. "The sphinx is overcome; but she will not throw herself into the sea just yet. She is too happy to bend the knee before her husband's erudition."
With bewitching grace, the queen inclined her beautiful head and knelt before the king. But Louis, blushing with gratification, clasped her hands in his, and raised her tenderly to her feet.
"Madame," said he, "if I had the tact and wit of my brother Charles, I would say that the sun, which so lately has risen, must not set so soon upon its worshippers. But answer me one question—what is the meaning of the riddle with which your majesty has been entertaining us?"
"May I answer with another question? Tell me, sire, have you ever seen the sun rise?"
"I? No, your majesty. I confess that I never have."
"And you, ladies and gentlemen?"
"I can answer for all that they have not," laughed D'Artois.