Page:Ten Years Later.djvu/310

298 The king spoke untrnly, for nothing, on the contrary, could make him less anxious; but he had a part to play, and so he walked on hurriedly. St. Aignan followed him at a short distance. Suddenly the king stopped; the courtier followed his example.

"St. Aignan," he said, "do you not hear some one moaning?"

"Yes, sire, and crying, too, it seems."

"It is in this direction," said the king. "It sounds like the tears and sobs of a woman."

"Run,"said the king; and, following a by-path, they ran across the grass. As they approached the cries were more distinctly heard.

"Help! help!" exclaimed two voices. The king and his companion redoubled their speed, and as they approached nearer the sighs they had heard were changed into loud sobs. The cry of "Help! help!" was again repeated; at the sound of which the king and St. Aignan increased the rapidity of their pace. Suddenly, at the other side of a ditch, under the branches of a willow, they perceived a woman on her knees, holding another in her arms, who seemed to have fainted. A few paces from them, a third, standing in the middle of the path, was calling for assistance. Perceiving two gentlemen, whose rank she could not tell, her cries for assistance were redoubled. The king, who was in advance of his companion, leaped across the ditch, and reached the group at the very moment when, from the end of the path which led to the chateau, a dozen persons were approaching, who had been drawn to the spot by the same cries which had attracted the attention of the king and M. de St. Aignan.

"What is the matter, young ladies?" said Louis.

"The king!" exclaimed Mile, de Montalais, in her astonishment letting La Valliere's head fall upon the ground.

"Yes, it is the king; but that is no reason why you should abandon your companion. Who is she?"

"It is Mademoiselle de la Valliere, sire."

"Mademoiselle de la Valliere?"

"Yes, sire; she has just fainted."

"Poor child!" said the king. "Quick, quick, fetch a surgeon!" But however great the anxiety with which the king had pronounced these words may have seemed to others, he had not so carefully watched over himself that they appeared, as well as the gesture which accompanied them, somewhat cold to St. Aignan, to whom the king had