midday
It was whispered at the _ petit lever _ , confirmed at the _ grand entree _ , and was common gossip by the time that the king had returned from chapel . Back into wardrobe and drawer went the flaring silks and the feathered hats , and out once more came the sombre coat and the matronly dress . Scudery and Calpernedi gave place to the missal and St. Thomas a Kempis , while Bourdaloue , after preaching for a week to empty benches , found his chapel packed to the last seat with weary gentlemen and taper-bearing ladies . By midday there was none in the court who had not heard the tidings , save only Madame de Montespan , who , alarmed by her lover 's absence , had remained in haughty seclusion in her room , and knew nothing of what had passed . Many there were who would have loved to carry her the tidings ; but the king 's changes had been frequent of late , and who would dare to make a mortal enemy of one who might , ere many weeks were past , have the lives and fortunes of the whole court in the hollow of her hand ? Louis , in his innate selfishness , had been so accustomed to regard every event entirely from the side of how it would affect himself , that it had never struck him that his long-suffering family , who had always yielded to him the absolute obedience which he claimed as his right , would venture to offer any opposition to his new resolution . He was surprised , therefore , when his brother demanded a private interview that afternoon , and entered his presence without the complaisant smile and humble air with which he was wont to appear before him .