256 LOUISE DE LA VALLIERE. resemble her as from the wish that the painter should pro- long the period of its completion as much as possible. It was amusing to observe him follow the artist's brush, await- ing the completion of a particular plan, or the result of a combination of colors, and suggesting various modifications to the painter, which the latter consented to adopt with the most respectful docility of disposition. And again, when the artist, following Malicorne's advice, was a little late in arriving, and when St. Aignan had been obliged to be absent for some time, it was interesting to observe, though no one witnessed them, those moments of silence full of deep expression, which united in one sigh two souls most disposed to understand each other, and who by no means objected to the quiet and meditation they enjoyed together. The minutes fled rapidly by, as if on wings, and as the king drew closer to Louise and bent his burning gaze upon her, a noise was suddenly heard in the anteroom. It was the artist^ who had just arrived; St. Aignan, too, had returned, full of apologies; and the king began to talk, and La Val- liere to answer him very hurriedly, their eyes revealing toi St. Aignan that they had enjoyed a century of. happiness during his absence. In a word, Malicorne, philosopher that he was, though he knew it not, had learned how to inspire the king with an appetite in the midst of plenty, and with desire in the assurance of possession. La Valliere's fears of interruption had never been realized, and no one imag- ined she was absent from her apartment two or three hours every day; she pretended that her health was very uncer- tain; those who went to her room always knocked before entering, and Malicorne, the man of so many ingenious in- ventions, had constructed an acoustic piece of mechanism, by means of which La Valliere, when in St. Aignan's apart- ment, was always forewarned of any visits which were paid to the room she usually inhabited. In this manner, there- fore, without leaving her own room, and having no confi- dante, she was able to return to her apartment, thus remov- ing by her appearance, a little tardy, perhaps, the suspicions of the most determined skeptics. Malicorne having asked St. Aignan the next morning what news he had to report, the latter had been obliged to confess that the quarter of an hour's liberty had made the king in most excellent humor. "We must double the dose," replied Malicorne, ^Ijut insensibly so ; wait until they seem to wish it." They were so desirous for it, however, that on the even-
