Madame led a life of incessant occupation; neither her voice nor her pen were idle for a moment.

The conversations with De Guiche were gradually assuming a tone of interest which might unmistakably be recognized as the prelude of a deep-seated attachment.
When eyes look languishingly while the subject under discussion happens to be colors of materials for dresses; when a whole hour is occupied in analyzing the merits and the perfume of a _sachet_ or a flower;--there are words in this style of conversation which every one might listen to, but there are gestures and sighs that every one cannot perceive.

After Madame had talked for some time with De Guiche, she conversed with the king, who paid her a visit regularly every day.

They played, wrote verses, or selected mottoes or emblematical devices; this spring was not only the Maytide of nature, it was the youth of an entire people, of which those at court were the head.

The king was handsome, young, and of unequaled gallantry.