royal attentions. She can give her money where she pleases,
now and always; but I'll not have her eyes opened to--as you
can open them. I will not have her annoyed. And if she
is----"

"Ah, and if she is?" challenged the King. His eyes were wide
apart now and his lips were parted and drawn back from his
teeth, like a snarling cat----

"I shall hold whoever annoys her responsible," Kalonay
concluded, impersonally.

There was a moment's pause, during which the two men stood
regarding each other warily.

Then the King stiffened his shoulders and placed his hands
slowly behind his back. "That sounds, my dear Kalonay," he
said, "almost like a threat."

The younger man laughed insolently. "I meant it, too, your
Majesty," he answered, bowing mockingly and backing away.

As the King's guests seated themselves at his breakfast-table
Louis smiled upon them with a gracious glance of welcome and
approval. His manner was charmingly condescending, and in his
appearance there was nothing more serious than an anxiety for
their better entertainment and a certain animal satisfaction
in the food upon his plate.

In reality his eyes were distributing the people at the table