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Rh LOUISE DE LA VALLIERE. 417 fact, at the very first word which the favorite mentioned of the discovery of the famous secret, Louise, in a passion of tears, abandoned herself in utter despair to a sorrow which would have been far from flattering for the king, if he had been a witness of it from one of the corners of the room. St. Aignan, in his character of embassador, felt greatly offended at it, as his master himself would have been, and returned to inform the king what he had seen and heard; and it is there we shall now find him in a state of great agitation, in the presence of the king, who was, if possible, in a state of greater agitation that he. "But," said the king to the courtier, when the latter had finished his report, "what did she decide to do? Shall I, at least, see her presently before supper? Will she come to me, or shall I be obliged to go to her room?" "I believe, sire, that if your majesty wishes to see her, you will not only have to take the first step in advance, but will have to go the Avhole way." "That I do not mind. Do you think she has still a fancy for that De 'Bragelonne?" muttered the king, between his teeth. "Oh, sire, that is not possible; for it is you alone, I am convinced. Mademoiselle de la Valliere loves, and that, too, with all her heart. But you know that De Bragelonne be- longs to that proud race who play the part of Eoman heroes." The king smiled feebly; he knew how true the illustra- tion was, for Athos had just left him. "As for Mademoiselle de la Valliere," St. Aignan con- tinued, "she was brought uj> under the care of the dowager madame, that is to say, in the greatest austerity and formal- ity. This young engaged couple coldly exchanged their little vows in the presence of the moon and the stars, and now, when they find they have to break those vows asunder, it plays the very deuce with them." St. Aignan thought he should have made the king laugh; but quite on the contrary, from a mere smile Louis passed to the greatest seriousness of manner. He already began to experience that remorse which the comte had promised D'Artagnan he would inflict upon him. He reflected that, in fact, these young persons had loved and sworn fidelity to each other; that one of the two had kept his word, and that the other was too conscientious not to feel her perjury most bitterly. And his remorse was not unaccompanied; for bitter pangs of jealousy began to beset the king's heart.