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Rh x'ZO LOUISE DE LA VALLIERH. CHAPTEE XIX. WHEREIN D'AETAGNAN PERCEIVES THAT IT WAS HE WHO WAS MISTAKEN AND MANICAMP WHO WAS EIGHT. The king, determined to be satisfied that no one was listening, went himself to the door, and then returned precipitately and placed himself opposite to Manicamp. "And now we are alone. Monsieur de Manicamp, explain yourself." "With the greatest frankness sire," replied the young man. "And, in the first place, pray understand," added the king, "that there is nothing to which I personally attach a greater importance than the honor of any lady." "That is the very reason, sire, why I endeavored to study your delicacy of sentiment and feeling." "Yes, I understand it all now. You say that it was one of the maids of honor of my sister-in-law who was the sub- ject of dispute, and that the person in question, De Guiche's adversary, the man, in point of fact, whom you will not name " "But whom Monsieur de St. Aignan will name, sire." "Yes, you say, however, that this man has insulted some one belonging to the household of madame." "Yes, sire; Mademoiselle de la Valliere." "Ah!" said the king, as if he had expected the name, and yet as if its announcement had caused him a sudden pang, "I do not say precisely that she was insulted, sire." "But, at all events " "I merely say that she was spoken of in terms far from respectful." "A man dares to speak in disrespectful terms of Made- moiselle de la Valliere, and yet you refuse to tell me ths name of the insulter?" "Sire, I thought it was quite understood that your majesty had abandoned the idea of making me denounce him." "Perfectly true, monsieur," returned the king, co'ntroU- ing his anger; "besides, I shall always know in sufficient time the name of the man whom I shall feel it my duty to punish." Manicamp perceived that they had returned to the ques- tion again. As for the king, he saw he had allowed himself
 * ah! it was Mademoiselle de la Valliere who was insulted?"