“ And against whom do you thus rebel?” inquired the king; “against your bailiffs? against your lords?”
“ Sometimes; that depends. Against the duke, also, sometimes.”
Louis XI. returned and seated himself, saying, with a smile,—
“ Ah! here they have only got as far as the bailiffs.”
At that instant Olivier le Daim returned. He was followed by two pages, who bore the king’s toilet articles; but what struck Louis XI. was that he was also accompanied by the provost of Paris and the chevalier of the watch, who appeared to be in consternation. The spiteful barber also wore an air of consternation, which was one of contentment beneath, however. It was he who spoke first.
“ Sire, I ask your majesty’s pardon for the calamitous news which I bring.”
The king turned quickly and grazed the ma
