passed the time in low converse, the formal ceremony of the King's
awakening took place behind the gold and white doors of the royal
sleeping-room. "The Chamber," one of the eleven offices in the service
of the King, comprised four first gentlemen of the Chamber, twenty-four
gentlemen of the Chamber, twenty-four pages of the Chamber, four first
valets of the Chamber, sixteen ushers, thirty-two valets of the Chamber,
two cloak-bearers, two gun-bearers, eight barbers, three watch-makers,
one dentist, and many minor attendants--all under the direction of the
Grand Chamberlain.

A few minutes before eight o'clock it was the duty of the chief _valet de
chambre_ to see that a fire was laid in the King's chamber (if the
weather required one), that blinds were drawn, and candles snuffed. As
the clock chimed the hour of eight, he approached the embroidered red
velvet curtains of the royal bed with the announcement, "Sire, it is the
hour."

When the curtains were drawn and the royal eyelids lifted upon a new day,
the children of the King were admitted to make their morning obeisance.
The chief physician and surgeon and the King's old nurse then entered to
greet the waking monarch. While they performed certain offices allotted
them, the Grand Chamberlain was summoned. The first _valet de chambre_
took his place by the bed and, holding a silver basin beneath the King's
hands, poured on them spirits of wine from a flagon. The Grand
Chamberlain next presented the vase of Holy Water to the King, who
accepted it and made the Sign of the Cross. Opportunity was given at
this moment for the princes, or any one having the _grande entrée_, to
speak to the King, after which the Grand Chamberlain offered to His
Majesty a prayer-book, and all present passed from the room except those
privileged to stay for the brief religious service that followed.