"You
ought to be whipped; and if I had you in my country, I would have
you whipped for all your airs! San Giacomo, if you cross me, I
will see to it!"
This was a parting thrust; for the girl, catching at the King's
permission, had turned and was hurrying in a passion of tears to
the door. Still, the Queen had not done. Mademoiselle had
broken a jar; and there were other misdemeanours which her
Majesty continued to expound. But in the end I had my say, and
presented the medals, which were accepted by the King with his
usual kindness, and by the Queen, when her feelings had found
expression, with sufficient complaisance. Both were good enough
to compliment me on my entertainment; but observing that the
Queen quickly buried herself again in her pillows and was
inclined to be peevish, I cut short my attendance on the plea of
fatigue, and left them at liberty to receive the very numerous
company who on this day pay their court.
Of these, the greater number came on afterwards, to wait on me;
so that for some hours the large hall at the Arsenal was thronged
with my friends, or those who called themselves by that name.
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