That is indeed ingratitude, and it were a just punishment if you were to leave me in solitude to-morrow, and so cut off all the light of my day.

But tell me, sire, how go the works at Marly?
I am all on fire to know whether the great fountain will work." "Yes, the fountain plays well, but Mansard has thrown the right wing too far back.

I have made him a good architect, but I have still much to teach him.

I showed him his fault on the plan this morning, and he promised to amend it." "And what will the change cost, sire ?" "Some millions of livres, but then the view will be much improved from the south side.

I have taken in another mile of ground in that direction, for there were a number of poor folk living there, and their hovels were far from pretty." "And why have you not ridden to-day, sire ?" "Pah! it brings me no pleasure.