The night before the representation, I took a step that I had decided upon for some time previously. I presented myself at the Palais-Royal and asked to see M. le Duc d'Orléans. The request was so unusual and so audacious that, no doubt, the attendants expected I had an audience. They informed the Duc d'Orléans of my presence and of my request to speak to him. The Duc d'Orléans repeated my name over to himself twice and gave orders to admit me. "Ah! ah! is it you, M. Dumas?" he said. "What good wind blows you hither or, rather, blows you back again?" "Monseigneur," I said to him, "to-morrow they play _Henri III._" "Yes," he said, "I know that." "Well, monseigneur, I have come to ask a favour of you, or rather an act of justice." "What is it?" "To give me your presence at my first representation.... A year ago, your Highness was informed that I was an empty-headed, vain fool; for a year I have been working as a humble poet; without giving me a hearing, monseigneur, you have sided with those of your retinue who have been my accusers--perhaps your Highness should have waited, but your Highness thought otherwise and did not wait. To-morrow things will be put to public trial; all I come to beg of you, monseigneur, is that you will be present at the sentence." The duke looked at me for a moment, and, seeing how calmly I met his scrutiny, he replied-- "I would have granted your request with great pleasure, M. Dumas, for various people have told me that if you were not a model of industry you were an example of perseverance; but, unfortunately, it is impossible." "Your Highness probably means that a man who aspires to talk with people in high places should know better than to interrogate a prince; but, monseigneur, I have come to you in such exceptional circumstances that I will venture to ask whence arises that impossibility, for I must confess it disappoints me greatly." "You shall judge for yourself: to-morrow I expect twenty to thirty princes and princesses to dinner." "Would it not be a novel entertainment, monseigneur, to take these princes and princesses to see _Henri III.?_" "How could I take them to see it when dinner begins at six and _Henri III._ begins at seven?" "Let monseigneur advance his dinner one hour and I will delay _Henri III._ for an hour; that would allow monseigneur three hours wherein to assuage the hunger of his august guests." "Well, that is not a bad idea.... Do you think the Théâtre-Français would consent to the delay?" "They would be only too delighted to accommodate your Highness." "But where should I seat them? I only have three boxes." "I asked the Administration not to dispose of the first circle until I had seen your Highness." "You presumed, then, to think that I should consent to see your play?" "I relied upon your sense of justice.... You see, monseigneur, I appeal to Philippe awakened."