The King was really enamoured of Mademoiselle d'Hautefort.

My father, young and gallant, could not comprehend why he did not gratify his love.

He believed his reserve to arise from timidity, and under this impression proposed one day to the King to be his ambassador and to bring the affair to a satisfactory conclusion.

The King allowed him to speak to the end, and then assumed a severe air.

"It is true," said he, "that I am enamoured of her, that I feel it, that I seek her, that I speak of her willingly, and think of her still more willingly; it is true also that I act thus in spite of myself, because I am mortal and have this weakness; but the more facility I have as King to gratify myself, the more I ought to be on my guard against sin and scandal.