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Rh LOUISE DE LA YALLIERE. 213 Monsieur Dangean, particularly, will be struck by my idea, and I shall now go and explain to him." ''But, my dear Monsieur Malicorne, you forget that you spoke to me about it the first, and that I have, consequently, the right of priority." "Do you wish for the preference?" "Do i wish it? Of course I do." "The fact is, Monsieur de St. Aignan, I am presenting you with that which is as good as the promise of an addi- tional step in the peerage, and perhaps even a good estate to accompany your dukedom." "At least," replied St. Aignan, "it will give me an op- portunity of showing the king that he is not mistaken in occasionally calling me his friend; an opportunity, dear Monsieur Malicorne, for which I am indebted to you." "And which you will not forget to remember?" inquired Malicorne, smiling. "Nothing will delight me more, monsieur." "But I am not the king's friend, I am simply his at- tendant." "Yes; and if you imagine that that staircase is as good as a dukedom for myself, I think there will certainly be letters of nobility for you." Malicorne bowed. "All I have to do now," said St. Aignan, "is to move as soon as possible." "I do not think the king will object to it; ask his permis- sion, however." "I will go and see him this very moment." "And I will run and get the carpenter I was speaking of.'* "When will he be here?" "This very evening." "Do not forget your precautions." "He shall be brought with his eyes bandaged." "And I will send you one of my carriages." "Without arms." "With one of my servants without livery. But stay, what will La Valliere say if she sees what is going on?" "Oh! I can assure you she will be very much interested in the operation, and equally sure that if the king has not courage enough to ascend to her room, she will have suf- ficient curiosity to come down to him." "We will live in hope," said St. Aignan; "and now I am off to his majesty. At what time will the carpenter be here?"