"You will not rouse him yet?"     

       "In seven and a half minutes." The valet pulled out the little round watch which gave the law to the man who was the law to twenty millions of people.     

       "Who commands at the main guard?"     

       "Major de Brissac."     

       "And you will be here?"     

       "For four hours I attend the king."     

       "Very good. He gave me some instructions for the officer of the guard, when he was alone last night after the petit coucher. He bade me to say that Monsieur de Vivonne was not to be admitted to the grand lever. You are to tell him so."     

       "I shall do so."     

       "Then, should a note come from her—you understand me, the new one—"     

       "Madame de Maintenon?"     

       "Precisely. But it is more discreet not to mention names. Should she send a note, you will take it and deliver it quietly when the king gives you an opportunity."     

       "It shall be done."     

       "But if the other should come, as is possible enough—the other, you understand me, the former—"     

       "Madame de Montespan."     

       "Ah, that soldierly tongue of yours, captain! Should she come, I say, you will gently bar her way, with courteous words, you understand, but on no account is she to be permitted to enter the royal room."     

       "Very good, Bontems."     

       "And now we have but three minutes."     

       He strode through the rapidly increasing group of people in the corridor with an air of proud humility as befitted a man who, if he was a valet, was at least the king of valets, by being the valet of the king. Close by the door stood a line of footmen, resplendent in their powdered wigs, red plush coats, and silver shoulder knots.     

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