I will be answerable for him.' But the secretary shrugged his shoulders up to his ears.

'It is quite impossible, M.de Crillon,' he said gravely.

'Quite impossible at present.' 'Impossible! Chut! I do not know the word,' Crillon retorted rudely.
'Come, take him at once, and blame me if ill comes of it.

Do you hear ?' 'But his Majesty--' 'Well ?' 'Is at his devotions,' the secretary said stiffly.
'His Majesty's devotions be hanged!' Crillon rejoined--so loudly that there was a general titter, and M.de Nevers laughed grimly.

'Do you hear ?' the Avennais continued, his face growing redder and his voice higher, 'or must I pull your ears, my friend?
Take this gentleman to the closet, I say, and if his Majesty be angry, tell him it was by my order.
I tell you he comes from Rambouillet.' I do not know whether it was the threat, or the mention of M.de Rambouillet's name, which convinced the secretary.