at that time he was hardly four years old."

"Yes, but I could give him the order -- I, Guitant -- and I
preferred to give it to you."

Guitant, without reply, rode forward and desired the
sentinel to call Monsieur de Villequier.

"Ah! so you are here!" cried the officer, in the tone of
ill-humor habitual to him; "what the devil are you doing
here?"

"I wish to know -- can you tell me, pray -- is anything
fresh occurring in this part of the town?"

"What do you mean? People cry out, `Long live the king! down
with Mazarin!' That's nothing new; no, we've been used to
those acclamations for some time."

"And you sing chorus," replied Guitant, laughing.

"Faith, I've half a mind to do it. In my opinion the people
are right; and cheerfully would I give up five years of my
pay -- which I am never paid, by the way -- to make the king
five years older."

"Really! And pray what would come to pass, supposing the
king were five years older than he is?"

"As soon as ever the king comes of age he will issue his