HOW THE KING WAS AFRAID OF BEING AFRAID.

When the king left St. Luc, he found the court, according to
his orders, in the great gallery. Then he gave D'O, D'Epernon
and Schomberg an order to retire into the provinces, threatened
Quelus and Maugiron to punish them if they quarreled anymore
with Bussy, to whom he gave his hand to kiss, and then embraced
his brother Francois.

As for the queen, he was prodigal in politeness to her.

When the usual time for retiring approached, the king seemed trying
to retard it. At last ten o'clock struck.

"Come with me, Chicot," then said he, "good night, gentlemen."

"Good night, gentlemen," said Chicot, "we are going to bed. I
want my barber, my hairdresser, my valet de chambre, and, above
all, my cream."

"No," said the king, "I want none of them to-night; Lent is going
to begin."

"I regret the cream," said Chicot.

The king and Chicot entered the room, which we already know.

"Ah ca! Henri," said Chicot, "I am the favorite to-night. Am I
handsomer than that Cupid, Quelus?"