4° STORIES FROM DAUDET

will not fail. to treat mé according to
my rank.’

Then he adds, turning to his mother :

‘Let them bring my finest clothes,
my ermine doublet and my _ velvet
shoes. I will dress myself in honour
of the angels, and’ enter paradise as
becomes a Dauphin.’

For the third time the Almoner
- stoops over the little Dauphin and
makes him a long speech in a low voice.
In the midst of his discourse the royal
child interrupts him passionately.

‘But then,’ he cries, ‘it is no good
at all to be a Dauphin.’

And without choosing to hear any
more, the little Dauphin turns his face
to the wall and weeps bitterly.