"Here is my sword, monsieur. Will you now please to announce
me to his majesty?"

"Instantly, sire." And the officer immediately went and
knocked at the door of communication, which the valet opened
to him.

"His Majesty the King of England!" said the officer.

"His Majesty the King of England!" replied the valet de
chambre.

At these words a gentleman opened the folding-doors of the
king's apartment, and Louis XIV. was seen, without hat or
sword, and his pourpoint open, advancing with signs of the
greatest surprise.

"You, my brother -- you at Blois!" cried Louis XIV.,
dismissing with a gesture both the gentleman and the valet
de chambre, who passed out into the next apartment.

"Sire," replied Charles II., "I was going to Paris, in the
hope of seeing your majesty, when report informed me of your
approaching arrival in this city. I therefore prolonged my
abode here, having something very particular to communicate
to you."

"Will this closet suit you, my brother?"

"Perfectly well, sire; for I think no one can hear us here."