I will give you the hundred Louis out of my privy purse; but I will discharge you the very next time you venture to present a memorial to me.' "Louis XIV.

was very kind to those of his servants who were nearest his person; but the moment he assumed his royal deportment, those who were most accustomed to see him in his domestic character were as much intimidated as if they were appearing in his presence for the first time in their lives.

Some of the members of his Majesty's civil household, then called 'commensalite', enjoying the title of equerry, and the privileges attached to officers of the King's household, had occasion to claim some prerogatives, the exercise of which the municipal body of St.
Germain, where they resided, disputed with them.

Being assembled in considerable numbers in that town, they obtained the consent of the minister of the household to allow them to send a deputation to the King; and for that purpose chose from amongst them two of his Majesty's valets de chambre named Bazire and Soulaigre.

The King's levee being over, the deputation of the inhabitants of the town of St.Germain was called in.
They entered with confidence; the King looked at them, and assumed his imposing attitude.