there he remounted and rode on to Paris, ftraight to the hôtel de Saint Pol, where the queen and the duchefs refided, and enquired after the king (for he was ignorant whether he was arrived or not), and was rejoiced to learn that he was not come. He faid to the queen, 4 Madam, you will very fhortiy hear of him.' This was true ; for not long after the duke's arrival, the king made his appearance, and the duke. ran to him and faid, 4 My lord, I have won the wager : order me to be paid.' 4 That is but juft,' re-plied the king, 4 and it fhajl be done.' They then related to the ladies their adventures on the road, and how they had come in four.days and a half from Montpellier, which was dif-tant from Paris one hundred and fifty leagues* The ladies turned the whole into a joke, and laughed at it \ but they were fenfible how greatly they muft have been fatigued, and nothing but their youth and courage could have borne them through it. You muft know, the duke, of Tou-raine infifted on the wager being paid in ready money. . • • : 63 CHAR