"Nay, fear nothing," he said, with a rising emotion which he could not conceal; "the wolf which terrified you so much was simply a wolf with two legs." "It was a man, then!" said Louise; "it was a man who was listening ?" "Suppose it was so, mademoiselle, what great harm was there in his having listened?
Is it likely that, even in your own opinion, you would have said anything which could not have been listened to ?" La Valliere wrung her hands, and hid her face in them, as if to hide her blushes.

"In Heaven's name," she said, "who was concealed there?
Who was listening ?" The king advanced towards her, to take hold of one of her hands.

"It was I," he said, bowing with marked respect.

"Is it likely I could have frightened you ?" La Valliere uttered a loud cry; for the second time her strength forsook her; and moaning in utter despair, she again fell lifeless in her chair.

The king had just time to hold out his arm; so that she was partially supported by him.