He saluted La Valliere, who uttered a cry of surprise as she saw him, blushing at the same time with pleasure.

Montalais, who occupied the other seat in the carriage, made the king a most respectful bow.

And, then, with all the tact of a woman, she pretended to be exceedingly interested in the landscape, and withdrew herself into the left-hand corner.

The conversation between the king and La Valliere began, as all lovers' conversations generally do, namely, by eloquent looks and by a few words utterly void of common sense.

The king explained how warm he had felt in his carriage, so much so indeed that he could almost regard the horse he then rode as a blessing thrown in his way.