CHAPTER IV.
THE FATHER OF HIS PEOPLE.
Louis had walked on to his devotions in no very charitable frame of mind, as was easily to be seen from his clouded brow and compressed lips.

He knew his late favourite well, her impulsiveness, her audacity, her lack of all restraint when thwarted or opposed.

She was capable of making a hideous scandal, of turning against him that bitter tongue which had so often made him laugh at the expense of others, perhaps even of making some public exposure which would leave him the butt and gossip of Europe.

He shuddered at the thought.

At all costs such a catastrophe must be averted.