Page:The Writings of Prosper Merimee-Volume 3.djvu/55

Rh ping before the door of the great apartment. " Porter, open the door immediately."

He kicked it with his feet, and the noise, echoing from the roof, resounded along the gal- lery like the report of a cannon.

The porter trembled so much that he could not find the keyhole.

"An old soldier trembling!" said Charles, shrugging his shoulders, " Come, Count, you open the door."

" Sire," replied the Count, recoiling a step, " if Your Majesty commanded me to walk up to the mouth of a German or a Danish cannon I would obey unhesitatingly, but you wish me to defy the powers of hell."

The King snatched the key from the hands of the porter.

" I quite see," he observed contemptuously, " that I must attend this matter myself," and before his suite could stay him he had opened the heavy oaken door and entered the great hall, pronouncing the words " By the power of God! " His three acolytes, urged by a curiosity stronger than their fear — and perhaps ashamed to de- sert their King — went in after him. The great hall was lighted up by innumerable torches, and the old figured tapestry had been replaced by black hangings. Along the walls hung, as