“Poor Joyeuse; what did you do?”

“Pardieu, sire!  I took my hat and cloak, bowed, and went out, without once looking back.”

“Bravo, Joyeuse; it was courageous.”

“The more so, sire, that I thought I heard her sigh.”

“But you will return?”

“No, I am proud.”

“Well, my friend, this rupture is for your good.”

“Perhaps so, sire; but I shall probably be horribly ennuye for a week, having nothing to do.  It may perhaps amuse me, however, as it is something new, and I think it distingue.”

“Certainly it is, I have made it so,” said the king.  “However, I will occupy you with something.”

“Something lazy, I hope?”

A second noise came from the chair; one might have thought the dog was laughing at the words of Joyeuse.

“What am I to do, sire?” continued Joyeuse.

“Get on your boots.”

“Oh! that is against all my ideas.”

“Get on horseback.”

“On horseback! impossible.”

“And why?”

“Because I am an admiral, and admirals have nothing to do with horses.”

“Well, then, admiral, if it be not your place to mount a horse, it is so at all events to go on board ship.  So you will start at once for Rouen, where you will find your admiral’s ship, and make ready to sail immediately for Antwerp.”

“For Antwerp!” cried Joyeuse, in a tone as despairing as though he had received an order for Canton or Valparaiso.

“I said so,” replied the king, in a cold and haughty tone, “and there is no need to repeat it.”

Joyeuse, without making the least further resistance, fastened his cloak and took his hat.

“What a trouble I have to make myself obeyed,” continued Henri.  “Ventrebleu! if I forget sometimes that I am the master, others might remember it.”

Joyeuse bowed stifly, and said, “Your orders, sire?”

The king began to melt.  “Go,” said he, “to Rouen, where I wish you to embark, unless you prefer going by land to Brussels.”

Joyeuse did not answer, but only bowed.

“Do you prefer the land route, duke?” asked Henri.

“I have no preference when I have an order to execute, sire.”

“There, now you are sulky.  Ah! kings have no friends.”

“Those who give orders can only expect to find servants.”

“Monsieur,” replied the king, angry again, “you will go then to Rouen; you will go on board your ship, and will take the garrisons of Caudebec, Harfleur, and Dieppe, which I will replace afterward.  You will put them on board six transports, and place them at the service of my brother, who expects aid from me.”

“My commission, if you please, sire.”

“And since when have you been unable to act by virtue of your rank as admiral?”

“I only obey, sire; and, as much as possible, avoid responsibility.”

“Well, then, M. le Duc, you will receive the commission at your hotel before you depart.”