Page:Ten Years Later.djvu/489

Rh TEN YEARS LATER. 477 permission to pay his respects to her. She made him re- peat the message twice over, for the poor girl only knew M. Fouquet by name, and could not conceive what she could possibly have to do with a surintendant of finances. How- ever, as he might possibly come from the king — and after the conversation we have recorded it was likely — she glanced at her mirror, drew out still more the long ringlets of her hair, and desired him to be admitted. La Valliere could not, however, refrain from a certain feeling of uneasiness. A visit from the surintendant was not an ordinary event in the life of any woman attached to the court. Fouquet, so notorious for his generosity, his gallantry, and his sensitive delicacy of feeling with regard to women generally, had received more invitations than he had requested audiences. In many houses the presence of the surintendant had been significant of fortune; in many hearts, of love. Fouquet entered the apartment with a manner full of respect, pre- senting himself with that ease and gracefulness of manner Vt^hich was the distinctive characteristic of the men of emi- n-ence of that period, and which at the jDresent day seems no longer to be understood, even in the portraits of the period in which the painter has endeavored to recall them into being. La Valliere acknowledged the ceremonious saluta- tion which Fouquet addressed to her by a gentle inclination of the head, and motioned him to a seat. But Fouquet, with a bow, said, "I will not sit down until you have par- doned me." "I?" asked La Valliere, "pardon what?" Fouquet fixed a most piercing look upon the young girl, and fancied he could perceive in her face nothing but the most unaffected surprise. "I observe," he said, "that you have as much generosity as intelligence, and I read in your eyes the forgiveness I solicit. A pardon pronounced by your lips is insufficient for me, and I need the forgiveness of your heart and mind." "Upon my honor, monsieur," said La Valliere, "I assure you most positively I do not understand your meaning." "Again, that is a delicacy on your part which charms me," replied Fouquet, "and I see you do not wish me to blush before you." "Blush! blush before me! Why should you blush?" "Can I have deceived myself," said Fouquet, "and can I have been happy enough not to have offended you by my conduct toward you?" "Keally, monsieur," said La Valliere, shrugging her