202 MEMOIES OF THE DUKE OF SAINT-SIMON".

of our discourse, that he would do well to bolt the door behind1
him, the door I mean of the Dauphine's chamber. He said
that the Dauplrine would not come, it not being her hour. I
replied that I did not fear that princess herself, but the crowd
that always accompanied her. He was obstinate, and would
not bolt the door. I did not dare to press him more. He sat
down before his bureau, and ordered me to sit also. Our de-
liberation was long; afterwards we sorted our papers. Here
let me say this—Every time I went to see the Dauphin I
garnished all my pockets with papers, and I often smiled within
myself passing through the Salon, at seeing there many people-
who at that moment were in my pockets, and who were far
indeed from suspecting the important discussion that was going
to take place. To return: the Dauphin gave me his papers to
put in my pocket, and kept mine. He locked up some in his
cupboard, and instead of locking up the others in his bureau,
kept them out, and began talking to me, his back to the chim-
ney, his papers in one hand, his keys in the other. I was
standing at the bureau looking for some other papers, when on
a sudden the door in front of me opened, and the Dauphine
entered!

The first appearance of all three—for, thank God ! she was
alone—the astonishment, the countenance of all have never left
my memory. Our fixed eyes, our statue-like immobility, and
our embarrassment were all alike, and lasted longer than a slow
Pater-noster. The Princesse spoke first. She said to the Prince
in a very ill-assured voice, that she had not imagined him in
such good company; smiling upon him and upon me. I had
scarce time to smile also and to lower my eyes, before the
Dauphin replied.

"Since you find me so," said he, smiling in turn, "leave
me so."

For an instant she looked on him, he and she both smiling at
each other more; then she looked on me, still smiling with
greater liberty than at first, made a pirouette, went away and
closed the door, beyond the threshold of which she had not
come.