Such knaves are ever more insolent than their betters; but I remarked that they made way for me with respect, and with rising spirits, yet a little irony, I reminded myself as I mounted the stairs of the words, 'whom the king delighteth to honour!' Reaching the head of the flight, where was a soldier on guard, the page opened the door of the antechamber, and standing aside bade me enter.

I did so, and heard the door close behind me.
For a moment I stood still, bashful and confused.

It seemed to me that there were a hundred people in the room, and that half the eyes which met mine were women's, Though I was not altogether a stranger to such state as the Prince of Conde had maintained, this crowded anteroom filled me with surprise, and even with a degree of awe, of which I was the next moment ashamed.

True, the flutter of silk and gleam of jewels surpassed anything I had then seen, for my fortunes had never led me to the king's Court; but an instant's reflection reminded me that my fathers had held their own in such scenes, and with a bow regulated rather by this thought than by the shabbiness of my dress, I advanced amid a sudden silence.
'M.

de Marsac!' the page announced, in a tone which sounded a little odd in my ears; so much so, that I turned quickly to look at him.