Page:Ten Years Later.djvu/282

270 family, you mean. Besides, believe me, do not be so hastily prejudiced against La Valliere. She is lame, it is true, but she is not deficient in good sense. Moreover, all that the king touches is converted into gold."

"Well, madame, be assured of one tiring, namely, that I am still grateful to you; you might even yet make me pay dearer for your stay in France."

"Sire, some one approaches."

"Well!"

"One last word."

"Say it."

"You are prudent and judicious, sire; but in the present instance you will be obliged to summon to your aid all your prudence and all your judgment."

"Oh!" exclaimed Louis, laughing, "from this very evening I shall begin to act my part, and you shall see whether I am not quite fit to represent the character of a tender swain. After luncheon there will be a promenade in the forest, and then there is supper and the ballet at ten o'clock."

"I know it."

"The ardor of my passion shall blaze more brilliantly than the fireworks, shall shine more steadily than the lamps of our friend Colbert; it shall shine so dazzlingly that the queens and Monsieur shall be almost blinded by it."

"Take care, sire, take care."

"In Heaven's name, what have I done, then?"

"I shall begin to recall the compliments I paid you just now. You prudent! you wise, did I say? why, you begin by the most reckless inconsistencies! Can a passion be kindled in this manner, like a torch, in a moment? Can a monarch, such as you are, without any preparation, fall at the feet of a girl like La Valliere?"

"Ah! Henrietta, now I understand you. We have not yet begun the campaign, and you are plundering me already."

"No; I am only recalling you to common-sense ideas. Let your passion be kindled gradually, instead of allowing it to burst forth so suddenly. Jove's thunders and lightnings are heard and seen before the palace is set on fire. Everything has its commencement. If you are so easily ex- cited, no one will believe you are really captivated, and every one will think you out of your senses — unless, indeed, the truth itself be not guessed. People are not always so foolish as they seem."