And, as the rain still continued to fall--a last adieu of the disappearing storm--the other ladies, whom respect had prevented getting into their carriages before the king, remained, and altogether unprotected by hood and cloak, exposed to the rain from which the king, with his hat over her, was protecting, as much as he was able, the humblest among them.

The queen and Madame must, like the others, have witnessed this exaggerated courtesy of the king.

Madame was so disconcerted at it that she touched the queen with her elbow, saying at the same time, "Look there, look there!" The queen closed her eyes, as if she had been suddenly seized with a fainting attack.

She lifted her hand to her face and entered her carriage, Madame following her.

The king again mounted his horse, and without showing a preference for any particular carriage-door, he returned to Fontainebleau, the reins hanging over his horse's neck, absorbed in thought.