Chapter 15 - Page 2

remained a slight shade of dissatisfaction.

Colbert was waiting for him at the corner of one of the avenues; he was most probably waiting there by appointment, as Louis XIV, who had avoided him or who had seemed to avoid him, suddenly made him a sign, and they then struck into the depths of the park together.

But La Valliere, too, had observed the King’s gloomy aspect and kindling glances. She had remarked this: and as nothing which lay hidden or smouldering in his heart was impenetrable to her affection, she understood that this repressed wrath menaced some one. She put herself upon the road of vengeance, like an angel of mercy. Overcome by sadness, nervously agitated, deeply distressed at having been so long separated from her lover, disturbed at the sight of that emotion which she had divined, she presented herself to the King with an embarrassed aspect, which in his evil mood the King interpreted unfavorably. Then, as they were alone, or nearly alone,- inasmuch as Colbert, as soon as he perceived the young girl approaching, had stopped and drawn back a dozen paces,- the King advanced towards La Valliere and took her by the hand. “Mademoiselle,” he said to her, “should I be guilty of an indiscretion if I were to inquire if you are indisposed? You seem to breathe as if you were distressed, and your eyes are filled with tears.”

“Oh, Sire, if I am distressed, and if my eyes are full of tears, it is for the sadness of your Majesty.”

“My sadness? You are mistaken, Mademoiselle; no, it is not sadness I experience.”

“What is it, then, Sire?”

“Humiliation.”

“Humiliation? Oh, Sire, what a word for you to use!”

“I mean, Mademoiselle, that wherever I may happen to be, no one else ought to be the master. Well, then, look round you on every side, and judge whether I am not eclipsed- I, the King of France- before the king of these wide domains. Oh!” he continued, clinching his hands and teeth, “when I think that this king-”

“Well, Sire?” said Louise, terrified.

“That this king is a faithless, unworthy servant, who becomes proud with my stolen property- And therefore am I about to change this impudent minister’s fête into a sorrow and mourning of which the nymph of Vaux, as the poets say, shall not soon lose the remembrance.”

“Oh! your Majesty-”

“Well, Mademoiselle, are you about to take M. Fouquet’s part?” said Louis, impatiently.

“No, Sire; I will only ask whether you are well informed. Your Majesty has more than once learned the value of accusations made at court.”

Louis XIV made a sign for Colbert to approach. “Speak, M. Colbert,” said the young King; “for I almost