It was the King's custom to retire from the revel with
regal formalities at one hour after midnight. But the feasting and
dancing continued many times until rosy dawn stole in the windows and
paled the candle-light. Besides balls, concerts, plays, games of
chance, masquerades, all the Court was invited every week--between
October and Easter--to take part in the _appartements_ or receptions
given by the King. These soirees began at seven o'clock and lasted
till ten. The chief diversion was card-playing. The King, the Queen
and all the princes so far unbent as to play with their guests at the
same tables, and move about without ceremony, conversing, listening to
the music of Lully's band, watching a minuet or a gavotte, eating and
drinking, or bestowing special favors upon courtiers that engaged their
momentary fancy.
Sometimes the losses of the players at the tables were enormous; again,
nobles counted their gains by the hundred thousands. The youthful
granddaughter of the King, the Duchess of Bourgogne, lost at one time a
sum equaling 600,000 francs, which her doting grandfather paid, as he
also paid debts of the Duke of Bourgogne. During one night's play the
King himself lost a sum totaling "many millions." On occasion the
courtiers were entertained at festivities arranged for the heir to the
throne, or by the cardinal that was in residence at the chateau.
During masked balls held in the carnival season dancers sometimes
changed their costumes two or three times in an evening--one worn under
another being revealed by pulling a silken cord.
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