The Duc du Maine had remained where he had spoken to his brother.  He seemed half dead, looked askance upon the company with wandering eyes, and the troubled agitated manner of a criminal, or a man condemned to death.  Shortly afterwards he became pale as a corpse, and appeared to me to have been taken ill.

He crawled to the end of the table, during which the Comte de Toulouse came and said a word to the Regent, and began to walk out of the room.

All these movements took place in a trice.  The Regent, who was near the King’s armchair, said aloud, “Now, gentlemen, let us take our places.”  Each approached to do so, and as I looked behind mine I saw the, two brothers at the, door as though about to leave the room.  I leaped, so to speak, between the King’s armchair and M. le Duc d’Orleans, and whispered in the Regent’s ear so as not to be heard by the Prince de Conti: 

“Monsieur, look at them.  They are going.”

“I know it,” he replied tranquilly.

“Yes,” I exclaimed with animation, “but do you know what they will do when they are outside.”

“Nothing at all,” said he:  “the Comte de Toulouse has asked me for permission to go out with his brother; he has assured me that they will be discreet.”

“And if they are not?” I asked.

“They will be.  But if they are not, they will be well looked after.”

“But if they commit some absurdity, or leave Paris?”

“They will be arrested.  Orders have been given, and I will answer for their execution.”

Therefore, more tranquil, I sat down in my place.  Scarcely had I got there than the Regent called me back, and said that since they had left the room, he should like to tell the Council what was going to be done with respect to them.  I replied that the only objection to this, their presence, being now removed—­I thought it would be wrong not to do so.  He asked M. le Duc in a whisper, across the table, afterwards called to the Keeper of the Seals; both agreed, and then we really seated ourselves.

These movements had augmented the trouble and curiosity of every one.  The eyes of all, occupied with the Regent, had been removed from the door, so that the absence of the bastards was by no means generally remarked.  As soon as it was perceived, everybody looked inquiringly around, and remained standing in expectation.  I sat down in the seat of the Comte de Toulouse.  The Duc de Guiche, who sat on the other side of me, left a seat between us, and still waited for the bastards.  He told me to approach nearer to him, saying I had mistaken my place.  I replied not a word, looking on at the company, which was a sight to see.  At the second or third summons, I replied that he, on the contrary, must approach me.

“And M. le Comte de Toulouse?” replied he.

“Approach,” said I, and seeing him motionless with astonishment, looking towards the Duc du Maine’s seat, which had been taken by the Keeper of the Seals, I pulled him by his coat (I was seated), saying to him, “Come here and sit down.”