an earnest look and a gentle inclination of the head.

"Well, duke, is it I with whom the chief manager of the royal
theatres wishes to speak?"

"Madame," answered the duke, "I am come to beg an audience of your
majesty."

"You have it; and it is, as you see, a very imposing audience, for
we stand in the throne room of God, and the canopy of Heaven arches
over us. Now say, duke, what brings you to me?"

"Your majesty, I am come to file an accusation!"

"And of course against me?" asked the queen, with a haughty smile.
The duke pretended not to hear the question, and went on: "I am come
to bring a charge and to claim my rights. His majesty has had the
grace to appoint me manager-in-chief of all the royal theatres, and
to give me their supreme control."

"Well, what has that to do with me?" asked the queen in her coldest
way. " You have then your duties assigned you, to he rightfully
fulfilled, and to keep your theatres in order, as if they were
troops under your care."

"But, your majesty, there is a theatre which seeks to free itself
from my direction. And by virtue of my office and my trust I must
stringently urge you that this new theatre royal be delivered into
my charge."