His Majesty was not present, nor were any of the Court ladies; but half a dozen gentlemen, among whom I recognised Revol, one of the King's secretaries, stood near the alcove.

They looked up on my entrance, as though expecting news, and then, seeing who it was, looked away again impatiently.

The Duke of Nevers was walking moodily to and fro before one of the windows, his hands clasped behind his back: while Biron and Crillon, reconciled by the common peril, talked loudly on the hearth.

I hesitated a moment, uncertain how to proceed, for I was not yet; so old at Court as to feel at home there.

But, at last making up my mind, I walked boldly up to Crillon and requested his good offices to procure me an immediate audience of the king.
'An audience?
Do you mean you want to see him alone ?' he said, raising his eyebrows and looking whimsically at Biron.
'That is my petition, M.de Crillon,' I answered firmly, though my heart sank.