laughable to mention, but he was actually refused admission to the
_lever_."

"It was my misfortune to have to refuse him, madame."

"You, Captain de Catinat? And by what right?" She had drawn up her
superb figure, and her large blue eyes were blazing with indignant
astonishment.

"The king's order, madame."

"The king! Is it likely that the king would cast a public slight upon
my family? From whom had you this preposterous order?"

"Direct from the king through Bontems."

"Absurd! Do you think that the king would venture to exclude a
Mortemart through the mouth of a valet? You have been dreaming,
captain."

"I trust that it may prove so, madame."

"But such dreams are not very fortunate to the dreamer. Go, tell the
king that I am here, and would have a word with him."

"Impossible, madame."

"And why?"

"I have been forbidden to carry a message."