Page:Ten Years Later.djvu/289

Rh Louis turned hastily toward the side, and, in fact, on his right, brilliant in his character of Autumn, De Guiche awaited until the king should look at him, in order that he might address him. To describe the stupefaction of the king, that of Monsieur, who was moving about restlessly in his box — to describe also the agitated movement of the heads in the theater, and the strange emotion of madame at the sight of her partner — is a task we must leave to more able hands. The king stood almost gaping with astonishment as he looked at the comte, who, bowing lowly, approached his majesty with the profoundest respect.

"Sire," he said, "your majesty's most devoted servant approaches to perform a service on this occasion with similar zeal to that he has already shown on the field of battle. Your majesty, in omitting the dance of the Fruits, would 'be losing the most beautiful scene in the ballet. I did not wish to be the cause of so great a prejudice to your majesty's elegance, skill, and graceful address; and I have left my tenants in order to place my services at your majesty's commands."

Every word fell distinctly, in perfect harmony and eloquence, upon Louis XIV. 's ears. Their flattery pleased, as much as De Guiche's courage had astonished him, and he simply replied:

"I did not tell you to return, comte."

"Certainly not, sire; but your majesty did not tell me to remain."

The king perceived that time was passing away, that if the scene were prolonged it might complicate everything, and that a single cloud upon the picture would effectually spoil the whole. Besides, the king's heart was filled with two or three new ideas; he had just derived fresh inspiration from the eloquent glances of madame. Her look had said to him, "Since they are jealous of you, divide their suspicions, for the man who distrusts two rivals does not distrust either in particular." So that madame, by this clever diversion, decided him. The king smiled upon De Guiche, who did not comprehend a word of madame's dumb language, but only remarked that she pretended not to look at him, and he attributed the pardon which had been conferred upon him to the princess' kindness of heart. The king seemed pleased with every one present. Monsieur was the only one who did not understand anything about the matter. The ballet began; the effect was more than beautiful. When the music, by its bursts of melody, carried