When the quarter of an hour had elapsed, the duke replaced his watch, and resumed: "Now let us go and try our luck."
"Shall we go together, or one by one?" inquired the Duke de
Liancourt.
"We are four, and the king's good-nature is soon exhausted. The last two petitioners would indubitably be rebuffed, so I think we had better go in a body."
"With yourself as spokesman," said De Brienne.
"Right!" echoed the others, and they are all approached the king. He was engaged in conversation with Louvois, and interrupted himself to stare at the four young men, as if he had been greatly astonished to see them.
"Here is your son-in-law," observed he to Louvois. "What can he want?"
"Indeed, sire, nobody knows his wants less than I. He is my daughter's husband, but no friend of mine."
"Here are De Turenne, De Brienne. and De Liancourt at his heels," replied the king, trying to stare them out of countenance, while the poor young men waited in vain for the royal permission to speak.
At last the Duke de la Roche Guyon gathered courage to begin.
"Your majesty, we come with all respect—"