keeping.

"Written at Paris the 15th January, 1688.

"_Signe_ LOUIS.

_Soussigne_ LOUVOIS."

Briefly St. Georges said to Louvois:

"And if I fail in this second behest, what then? What if I refuse to
quit France?"

"That I leave you to imagine. Sir, our interview is at an end;" and he
rang a bell as he spoke, and when it was answered by a gorgeous
footman, said:

"Escort this gentleman to the courtyard."

St. Georges, however, made no sign of following the servant, but,
instead, advanced a step closer to Louvois, so that when he stood
nearer to him than he had hitherto done, the latter gave unmistakable
signs of apprehension. Yet, seeing that there was no threatening
appearance on the other's face and that his sword hung idle and
untouched by his side, he said:

"You do not hear me, sir, it would seem. Our interview is at an end."

"Not yet," replied St. Georges, very calmly. "You have delivered your
decision--I refuse to believe it is the king's. And until I receive it
from his own lips, I shall neither quit Paris nor France."

"You will not?"

"I will not."

"So," replied Louvois in a harsh tone, "that is _your_ decision." Then
changing his tone to one which, perhaps, he thought more effective--a
gentler, more subtle tone--he said: "You are, I think, unwise. The
king will not see you; and--meanwhile--he can find means to exercise
his authority, to have his orders executed."

"The king _will_ see me, I think. Monsieur Louvois, I have a petition
to present to his Majesty."

"A petition!"

"Against three of his subjects, all of whom, as I do believe before
God, have been engaged in a most foul attempt against me and my child.
Monsieur le ministre, shall I mention the names of those subjects of
the king?" and his eye glanced at the servant as he spoke.

"No, be silent," replied Louvois; "also I bid you beware what you say,
what do. Monsieur St. Georges," he continued, breaking out into one of
those heats of rage which were usual with him, while, even as he did
so, he roughly motioned the servant at the door to quit the
room.--"Monsieur St. Georges, do you know the deadly peril in which
you stand? Do you know, I say? If it pleases me I have enough
authority to commit you to the Bastille to-night, to Vincennes, to
Bicetre--the power to arrest you here in this room. If I summon that
servant again, a file of mousquetaires will be sent for;