"Doubtless he'll try," said I, smiling.

Then, fearing Michael would say something which I must appear to
resent (for, though I might show him my hate, I must seem to be full of
favour), I began to compliment him on the magnificent condition of his
regiment, and of their loyal greeting to me on the day of my coronation.
Thence I passed to a rapturous description of the hunting-lodge which
he had lent me. But he rose suddenly to his feet. His temper was failing
him, and, with an excuse, he said farewell. However, as he reached the
door he stopped, saying:

"Three friends of mine are very anxious to have the honour of being
presented to you, sire. They are here in the ante-chamber."

I joined him directly, passing my arm through his. The look on his
face was honey to me. We entered the ante-chamber in fraternal fashion.
Michael beckoned, and three men came forward.

"These gentlemen," said Michael, with a stately courtesy which, to
do him justice, he could assume with perfect grace and ease, "are the
loyalest and most devoted of your Majesty's servants, and are my very
faithful and attached friends."

"On the last ground as much as the first," said I, "I am very pleased to
see them."

They came one by one and kissed my hand--De Gautet, a tall lean fellow,
with hair standing straight up and waxed moustache; Bersonin, the
Belgian, a portly man of middle height with a bald head (though he was