"Well, the noise of that thunder told your majesty, that, however disposed you might be to play, you must go in-doors."
"Certainly, sir; but I have been told that the voice of the thunder is the voice of God."
"Well, sire, let your majesty listen to the voice of the people, and you will perceive that it greatly resembles that of the thunder."
As he spoke, a low deep roar, proceeding from the multitude without, was borne upon the night breeze to the windows of the apartment. The next instant all was still and hushed.
"Hark, sire," said D'Artagnan, "they have just told the people that you are sleeping. You see that you are still king."
The queen looked with astonishment at the singular man, whose brilliant courage made him the equal of the bravest; whose keen and ready wit rendered him the equal of all. Laporte entered the room, and announced that the message he had taken to the people had acted like oil upon the waves, and that they were waiting in respectful silence, till the five minutes, at the expiration of which they were to see the king, should have elapsed. By the queen's
order, Louis was put into bed, dressed as he was, and covered up to the throat with the sheets. His mother stooped over him, and kissed his forehead.
"Pretend to sleep, Louis," said she.
"Yes," said the king, "but not one of those men must touch me."
"Sire," said D'Artagnan, "I am here; and if one of them had that audacity, he should pay for it with his life."