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THE KING AND M1JDAHE DE TORCY. 3

An incident occurred at Marly about the time, which

made much stir. The ladies who were invited to Marly, had
the privilege of dining with -the King. Tables were placed for
them, and they took up positions according to their rank. The
non-titled ladies had also their special place. It so happened
one day, that Madame de Torcy (an nntitled lady) placed her-
self above the Duchesse de Duras, who arrived at table a moment
after her. Madame de Torcy offered to give up her place, but
it was a little late, and the offer passed away in compliments.
The King entered, and put himself at table. As soon as Le sat
down, he saw the place Madame de Torcy had taken, and
fixed such a serious and surprised look upon her, that she
again offered to give up her place to the Duchesse de
Duras; but the offer was again declined. All through the
dinner the King scarcely ever took his eyes off Madame de
Torcy, said hardly a word, and bore a look of anger that
rendered everybody very attentive, and even troubled the
Duchesse de Duras.

Upon rising from the table, the King passed, according to
custom, into the apartments of Madame de Mainteaon, followed
by the princesses of the blood, who grouped themselves around
him upon stools; the others who entered, kept at a distance.
Almost before he had seated himself in his chair, he said to
Madame de Maintenon, that he had just been witness of an act
of" incredible insolence" (that was the term lie used) which
had thrown him into such a rage that he had been unable to
eat: that such an enterprise would have "been insupportable in
a woman of the highest quality; but coming, as it did, from a
mere Bourgeoise, it had so affected him, that ten times he had
been upon the point of making her leave the table, and that he
was only restrained by consideration for her husband. After
this outbreak he made a long discourse upon the genealogy of
Madame de Torcy's family, and other matters ; and then, to the

self ? If it were my business to comment on sack passages, -what

could I employ that would not seem to refer to the conduct of monkeys or

penguins rather than that of men ?