But that which happened when I had mounted the stairs and came to the door of the ante-chamber outdid all.

The man on guard would have opened the door, but when I went to enter, a major-domo who was standing by, muttering with two or three of his kind, hastened forward and stopped me.
'Your business, Monsieur, if you please ?' he said inquisitively; while I wondered why he and the others looked at me so strangely.
'I am M.de Berault,' I answered sharply.

'I have the entree.' He bowed politely enough.
'Yes, M.de Berault, I have the honour to know your face,' he said.
'But--pardon me.

Have you business with his Eminence ?' 'I have the common business,' I answered sharply.

'By which many of us live, sirrah! To wait on him.' 'But--by appointment, Monsieur ?' 'No,' I said, astonished.