418 LOUISE DE LA VALLIERE. He did not say another word, and, instead of going to pay a visit to his mother, or the queen, or madame, in order to amuse himself a little, and make the ladies laugh, as he himself used to say, he threw himself into the huge arm- chair in which his august father, Louis XIII., had passed so many weary days and years in company with Baradas and Cinq-Mars. St. Aignan perceived that the king was not to be amused at that moment; he tried a last resource, and pronounced Louise's name, which made the king look up immediately. What does your majesty intend to do this evening? Shall Mademoiselle de la Valliere be informed of your intention to see her?"
- 'It seems she is already aware of that," replied the king.
"No, no, St. Aignan," he continued, after a moment's pause; "we will both of us pass our time in thinking, and musing, and dreaming. When Mademoiselle de la Valliere shall have sufficiently regretted what she now regrets, she will deign, perhaps, to give us some news of herself." "Ah! sire, is it possible you can so misunderstand her heart, which is so full of devotion?" The king rose, flushed from vexation and annoyance; he was a prey to jealousy as well as to remorse. St. Aignan was just beginning to feel that his position was becoming awkward, when the curtain before the door was raised. The king turned hastily round; his first idea was that a letter from Louise had arrived; but, instead of a letter of love, he only saw his captain of musketeers standing up- right and perfectly silent in the doorway. "Monsieur d'Artagnan," he said. "Ah! Well, mon- sieur " D'Artagnan looked at St. Aignan; the king's eyes took the same direction as those of his captain; these looks would have been clear to any one, and for a still greater reasor. they were so for St. Aignan. The courtier bowed and quitted the room, leaving the king and D'Artagnan alone. "Is it done?" inquired the king. "Yes, sire," replied the captain of the musketeers, in a grave voice, "it is done." The king was unable to say another word. Pride, how- ever, obliged him not to pause at what he had done; when- ever a sovereign has adopted a decisive course, even though it be unjust, he is compelled to prove to all who were wit- nesses of his having adopted it, and particularly to prove it
