two o'clock before
It was a feast worthy of Francis the First . Monsieur Voltaire was at the dinner , along with others of the guests who did not take part in the hunt ; and the notary 's son kept the whole company in a roar with his witticisms . Francezka was in high spirits , and had the honor of much notice by the king , by Count Saxe , and Monsieur Voltaire , to say nothing of the Dukes of Bourbon and Richelieu . It was two o'clock before the dinner was over , and then the major part of the company made ready to return to the castle . The word was quietly passed around , however , that for those who wished real work , there was an old `` solitary '' which had been placed , and those who liked might go after him . The ladies were not informed of this , and when Count Saxe , and half a dozen others remained , it was supposed that they would have nothing more dangerous or exciting than another chase after a _ marcassin _ . When the cavalcade , including the king , were riding off , Francezka turned in her saddle , and , looking toward Gaston , who remained behind , cried : `` Remember , you have but one good arm and part of another one -- so , having so lately got you back , let me not lose you now . ''