To all appearance the dice had fallen well for me.

I had done a great thing, run a great risk, won a woman's love; and, after all, I was not to pay the penalty.
But a word which fell from Frison as he fluttered round me, pouring out the broth and cutting the bread, dropped into my mind and spoiled my satisfaction.
'Yes, your Excellency,' he said, confirming something he had stated before and which I had missed, 'and I am told that the last time he came into the gallery there was not a man of all the scores who had been at his levee last Monday would speak to him.

They fell off like rats--just like rats--until he was left standing alone.

And I have seen him!'-- Frison lifted up his eyes and his hands and drew in his breath--'Ah! I have seen the King look shabby beside him! And his eye! I would not like to meet it now.' 'Pish!' I growled.

'Someone has fooled you.