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Rh LOUISE DE LA VALLIERE. 389 in refusing Mademoiselle de la Valliere to Monsieur de Bragelonne, your majesty had some other object in view than the happiness and fortune of the vicomte '* "You perceive, monsieur, that you are offending me." "If, in requiring the vicomte to delay his marriage, your majesty's only object was to remove the gentleman to whom Mademoiselle de la Valliere was engaged " "Monsieur! monsieur!" "I have heard it said so in every direction, sire. Your majesty's affection for Mademoiselle de la Valliere is spoken of on all sides." The king tore his gloves, which he had been biting for some time. "Woe to those," he cried, "who interfere in my affairs. I have made up my mind to take a particular course, and I will break through every obstacle in my way." "What obstacle?" said Athos. The king stopped short, like a horse which, having taken the bit between his teeth and run away, finds it had slipped back again, and that his career was checked. "I love Mademoiselle de la Valliere," he said suddenly, with mingled nobleness of feeling and passion. "But," interrupted Athos, that does not preclude your majesty from allowing Monsieur de Bragelonne to marry Mademoiselle de la Valliere. The sacrifice is worthy of so great a monarch; it is fully merited by Monsieur de Brage- lonne, who has already rendered great service to your majesty, and who may well be regarded as a brave and worthy man. Your majesty, therefore, in renouncing the affection you entertain, offers a proof at once of generosity, gratitude, and good policy." "Mademoiselle de la Valliere does not love Monsieur de Bragelonne," said the king hoarsely. "Does your majesty know that to be the case?" remarked Athos with a searching look. "I do know it." "Since a very short time, then; for, doubtless, had your majesty known it when I first preferred my request, you would have taken the trouble to inform me of it." "Since a very short time, truly, monsieur." Athos remained silent for a moment, and then resumed: "In that case, I do not understand why your majesty should have sent Monsieur de Bragelonne to London. That exile, and most properly so, too, is a matter of as-
 * 'l will explain my meaning," said Athos coldly. "If,