I shall come and go as I fancy; and I shall be left in peace." Even in his court, and amongst his most devoted servants, this monstrous egotism astounded and scandalized everybody.

"A silence in which you might have heard an ant move succeeded this sally," says St.Simon, who relates the scene; "we looked down; we hardly dared draw breath.

Everybody stood aghast.

To the very builders-men and gardeners everybody was motionless.

This silence lasted more than a quarter of an hour.