Raoul had gone directly to Mademoiselle de la Valliere, and had saluted her with the profoundest respect, at which Louise blushed, and could not say a word.

Montalais, however, hurried to her assistance.
"Well, monsieur le vicomte, here we are, you see." "I do, indeed, see you," said Raoul smiling, "and it is exactly because you are here that I wish to ask for some explanation." Malicorne approached the group with his most fascinating smile.
"Go away, Malicorne; really you are exceedingly indiscreet." At this remark Malicorne bit his lips and retired a few steps, without making any reply.

His smile, however, changed its expression, and from its former frankness, became mocking in its expression.
"You wished for an explanation, M.Raoul ?" inquired Montalais.
"It is surely worth one, I think; Mademoiselle de la Valliere is a maid of honor to Madame!" "Why should she not be a maid of honor, as well as myself ?" inquired Montalais.
"Pray accept my compliments, young ladies," said Raoul, who fancied he perceived they were not disposed to answer him in a direct manner.
"Your remark was not made in a very complimentary manner, vicomte." "Mine ?" "Certainly; I appeal to Louise." "M.

de Bragelonne probably thinks the position is above my condition," said Louise, hesitatingly.
"Assuredly not," replied Raoul, eagerly, "you know very well that such is not my feeling; were you called upon to occupy a queen's throne, I should not be surprised; how much greater reason, then, such a position as this?
The only circumstance that amazes me is, that I should have learned it only to-day, and that by the merest accident." "That is true," replied Montalais, with her usual giddiness; "you know nothing about it, and there is no reason you should.

M.de Bragelonne had written several letters to you, but your mother was the only person who remained behind at Blois, and it was necessary to prevent these letters from falling into her hands; I intercepted them, and returned them to M.Raoul, so that he believed you were still at Blois while you were here in Paris, and had no idea whatever, indeed, how high you had risen in rank." "Did you not inform M.Raoul, as I begged you to do ?" "Why should I?
to give him opportunity of making some of his severe remarks and moral reflections, and to undo what we have had so much trouble in effecting?
Certainly not." "Am I so very severe, then ?" said Raoul, inquiringly.
"Besides," said Montalais, "it is sufficient to say that it suited me.
I was about setting off for Paris--you were away; Louise was weeping her eyes out; interpret that as you please; I begged a friend, a protector of mine, who had obtained the appointment for me, to solicit one for Louise; the appointment arrived.