ease in pleasing solitude. Then, in
the familiar words of Samuel Pepys' immortal diary, "Home, and to bed."
Outside the gilded balustrade the first _valet de chambre_ slept on a
folding cot. "Beyond that balustrade, by the faint candle-light, there
loomed among the shadows a white-plumed canopy and crimson curtains. The
Grand Monarch slept."

CHAPTER VI

GOLDEN DAYS AND RED LETTER NIGHTS

_The Gayety and Fashion of Versailles Life. The Prodigal Frivolities
and Diversions of the Court._

The ceremonious routine of the days at Versailles was enlivened at
certain times of the year by festivities of astounding brilliance, and,
on occasion, by gorgeous receptions offered to visiting rulers and
ambassadors, It has already been related that the arrival of Louis XIV
and his family at Versailles in the fall of 1663 was celebrated by a
fete at which a troupe headed by Moliere was heard in a piece by the
great dramatist called Impromptu de Versailles, In the month of May,
1664, Louis commanded a performance of "Pleasures of the Enchanted
Isle," in which his favorite actor and playwright furnished the comedy,
Lully the music and the ballets, and an Italian mechanician the
decorations and illuminations. On the first day there was tilting at
the ring, in which pastime Louis XIV played a part, wearing a
diamond-embroidered costume. The next day, on an outdoor stage,
Moliere and his company played the "_Princesse d'Elide_." There
followed ballets, races, tourneys and a lottery, "in which the prizes
were pieces of furniture, silverware and precious stones."

In September, 1665, a hunt was organized in the woods of Versailles, at
which the royal ladies wore Amazonian habits. A mid-winter day in the
year 1667 was chosen for a tournament "that over-passed the limits of
magnificence." The Queen herself led a cortege of Court beauties on a
white horse that was set off by brocaded and gem-sewn trappings. The
_Gazette_ of 1667 described the appearance of the youthful Master of
Versailles at this tournament, he being "not less easily recognized by
the lofty mien peculiar to him than by his rich Hungarian habit covered
with gold and precious stones, his helmet with waving plumes, his horse
that was arrayed in magnificent accouterments and a jeweled
saddle-cloth."

Again in the summers of 1668 and 1672 Moliere and Lully entertained the
guests at the King's chateau, while in the gardens there were statues,
vases and chandel