servant in powdered wig and gorgeous livery of red plush. I sat at

the right of the King, who--his hands resting on his sword, the hilt

of which glittered with jewels--sat through the hour and a half at

table without once tasting food or drink, for it was his rule to eat

but two meals in twenty-four hours--breakfast at noon, and dinner at

midnight. The King remained silent most of the time, but when he did

speak, no matter on what subject, he inevitably drifted back to

hunting. He never once referred to the Franco-Prussian war, nor to