These repeated attacks, if they had not shaken the king’s resolution, had at least irritated and exasperated him to the utmost.  Such a blast of opposition was a new thing to a man whose will had been the one law of the land.  It left him ruffled and disturbed, and without regretting his resolution, he still, with unreasoning petulance, felt inclined to visit the inconvenience to which he had been put upon those whose advice he had followed.  He wore accordingly no very cordial face when the usher in attendance admitted the venerable figure of Father la Chaise, his confessor.

“I wish you all happiness, sire,” said the Jesuit, “and I congratulate you from my heart that you have taken the great step which must lead to content both in this world and the next.”

“I have had neither happiness nor contentment yet, father,” answered the king peevishly.  “I have never been so pestered in my life.  The whole court has been on its knees to me to entreat me to change my intention.”

The Jesuit looked at him anxiously out of his keen gray eyes.

“Fortunately, your Majesty is a man of strong will,” said he, “and not to be so easily swayed as they think.”

“No, no, I did not give an inch.  But still, it must be confessed that it is very unpleasant to have so many against one.  I think that most men would have been shaken.”

“Now is the time to stand firm, sire; Satan rages to see you passing out of his power, and he stirs up all his friends and sends all his emissaries to endeavour to detain you.”

But the king was not in a humour to be easily consoled.

“Upon my word, father,” said he, “you do not seem to have much respect for my family.  My brother and my son, with the Abbe Fenelon and the Minister of War, are the emissaries to whom you allude.”

“Then there is the more credit to your Majesty for having resisted them.  You have done nobly, sire.  You have earned the praise and blessing of Holy Church.”

“I trust that what I have done is right, father,” said the king gravely.  “I should be glad to see you again later in the evening, but at present I desire a little leisure for solitary thought.”

Father la Chaise left the cabinet with a deep distrust of the king’s intentions.  It was obvious that the powerful appeals which had been made to him had shaken if they had failed to alter his resolution.  What would be the result if more were made?  And more would be made; that was as certain as that darkness follows light.  Some master-card must be played now which would bring the matter to a crisis at once, for every day of delay was in favour of their opponents.  To hesitate was to lose.  All must be staked upon one final throw.