CHAPTER XXXI.
THE FIRST QUARREL.
La Valliere entered the queen-mother's apartments without in the least suspecting that a serious plot was being concerted against her.

She thought it was for something connected with her duties, and never had the queen-mother been unkind to her when such was the case.

Besides, not being immediately under the control or direction of Anne of Austria, she could only have an official connection with her, to which her own gentleness of disposition, and the rank of the august princess, made her yield on every occasion with the best possible grace.

She therefore advanced toward the queen-mother with that soft and gentle smile which, constituted her principal charm, and as she did not approach sufficiently close, Anne of Austria signed to her to come nearer.

Madame then entered the room, and with a perfectly calm air took her seat beside her mother-in-law, and continued the work which Maria-Theresa had begun.