How has the king slept ?" "Admirably." "But it is his time." "Hardly." "You will not rouse him yet ?" "In seven and a half minutes." The valet pulled out the little round watch which gave the law to the man who _was_ the law to twenty millions of people.
"Who commands at the main guard ?" "Major de Brissac." "And you will be here ?" "For four hours I attend the king." "Very good.

He gave me some instructions for the officer of the guard, when he was alone last night after the _petit coucher_.

He bade me to say that Monsieur de Vivonne was not to be admitted to the _grand lever_.

You are to tell him so." "I shall do so." "Then, should a note come from _her_--you understand me, the new one--" "Madame de Maintenon ?" "Precisely.

But it is more discreet not to mention names.