king would leave Touloufe, on Ins return to Paris* » and his attendants made preparations accordingly. As foon as it was known, the archbifhop and fénéfchal of Touloufe, with the citizens and ladies, came to take their leave of the king, who re-ceived them all very kindly. He fet out from , Touloufe after breakfaft, and lay the firft night at Château-neuf d'Aulroy, and then continued his journey to Montpellier, where he was joyfully re-ceived. He there remained for three days to amufe himfelf ; for the town and the ladies af-forded him much pleafure. He ^as, .however,. very impatient to return to Paris, to fee his queep. One day, while at Montpellier, he (aid, jokingly, to the duke of Touraine,—* Fair brother, I wife we were at Paris, and our attendants where they now arc ; for I have as great a defire to fee the queen, as I suppofe you muft have to fee my fifter-in-law.' * My lord,* replied the duke, * we . (hall never get there by wilhing it : the: diftance is too great/ c That is true,' anfwered the king ; * but I think, if I pleafed, I could very foon be, there.' ' Then it muft be by dint of hard riding/ faid the duke of Touraine, * and not other wife, and I alfo can do that ; but it would be through means of my horfe.' 4 Come,' faid the king, c who will be there firft ? you or I : let us wager on this/ c With all my heart,' anfwered the duke, who would at all times exert himfelf to get money. A wager was, in confequence, made between them,* for five hundred francs, who Ihould the firft arrive. at 61