to speak.

Scarcely was the repast finished, when the king had risen abruptly,
thereby forcing everyone to do the same. Then St. Luc approached
him, and said: "Sire, will your majesty do me the honor to accept
the fete, which I wish to give to you this evening at the Hotel
Montmorency?" This was said in an imploring tone, but Henri,
with a voice betraying both vexation and anger, had replied:

"Yes, monsieur, we will go, although you certainly do not merit
this proof of friendship on our part."

Then Madame de St. Luc had humbly thanked the king, but he turned
his back without replying.

"Is the king angry with you?" asked the young wife of her husband.

"I will explain it to you after, mon amie, when this anger shall
have passed away."

"And will it pass away?"

"It must."

Mademoiselle de Brissac was not yet sufficiently Madame de St.
Luc to insist further; therefore she repressed her curiosity,
promising herself to satisfy it at a more favorable time.

They were, therefore, expecting St. Luc at the Hotel Montmorency,
at the moment in which our story commences. St. Luc had invited