De Guiche was on his feet in a moment.

Malicorne tried to hide himself behind Montalais.

Manicamp stood bolt upright, and assumed a very ceremonious demeanor.

The guitar player thrust his instrument under a table, covering it with a piece of carpet to conceal it from the prince's observation.

Madame was the only one who did not move, and smiling at her husband, said, "Is not this the hour you usually devote to your toilette ?" "An hour which others select, it seems, for amusing themselves," replied the prince, grumblingly.
This untoward remark was the signal for a general rout; the women fled like a flock of terrified starlings; the guitar player vanished like a shadow; Malicorne, still protected by Montalais, who purposely widened out her dress, glided behind the hanging tapestry.