It might be about seven o'clock in the morning, and, since his arrival at Nantes, the king had been an early riser.

But on arriving at the corridor with which we are acquainted, D'Artagnan found M.de Gesvres, who stopped him politely, telling him not to speak too loud and disturb the king.

"Is the king asleep ?" said D'Artagnan.

"Well, I will let him sleep.

But about what o'clock do you suppose he will rise ?" "Oh! in about two hours; his majesty has been up all night." D'Artagnan took his hat again, bowed to M.de Gesvres, and returned to his own apartments.