Say nothing of it to your wife; for the queen will know all about it very soon." This latter confidential communication had an immediate result.

Monsieur, who had regained his composure, went triumphantly to look after his wife, and it was not yet midnight and the _fete_ was to continue until two in the morning, he offered her his hand for a promenade.

At the end of a few paces, however, the first thing he did was to disobey his mother's injunctions.
"Do not tell any one, the queen least of all," he said mysteriously, "what people say about the king." "What do they say about him ?" inquired Madame.
"That my brother has suddenly fallen in love." "With whom ?" "With Mademoiselle de la Valliere." As it was dark, Madame could smile at her ease.
"Ah!" she said, "and how long is it since this has been the case ?" "For some days, it seems.

But that was nothing but nonsense; it is only this evening that he has revealed his passion." "The king shows his good taste," said Madame; "in my opinion she is a very charming girl." "I verily believe you are jesting." "I! in what way ?" "In any case this passion will make some one very happy, even if it be only La Valliere herself." "Really," continued the princess, "you speak as if you had read into the inmost recesses of La Valliere's heart.

Who has told you that she agrees to return the king's affection ?" "And who has told you that she will not return it ?" "She loves the Vicomte de Bragelonne." "You think so ?" "She is even affianced to him." "She was so." "What do you mean ?" "When they went to ask the king's permission to arrange the marriage, he refused his permission." "Refused ?" "Yes, although the request was preferred by the Comte de la Fere himself, for whom the king has the greatest regard, on account of the part he took in your royal brother's restoration, and in other events, also, which happened a long time ago." "Well! the poor lovers must wait until the king is pleased to change his opinion; they are young, and there is time enough." "But, dear me," said Philip, laughing, "I perceive you do not know the best part of the affair." "No!" "That by which the king was most deeply touched." "The king, do you say, has been deeply touched ?" "To the very quick of his heart." "But how ?--in what manner ?--tell me directly." "By an adventure, the romance of which cannot be equalled." "You know how I love to hear of such adventures, and yet you keep me waiting," said the princess, impatiently.
"Well, then--" and Monsieur paused.
"I am listening." "Under the royal oak--you know where the royal oak is ?" "What can that matter?
Under the royal oak, you were saying ?" "Well! Mademoiselle de la Valliere, fancying herself to be alone with her two friends, revealed to them her affection for the king." "Ah!" said Madame, beginning to be uneasy, "her affection for the king ?" "Yes." "When was this ?" "About an hour ago." Madame started, and then said, "And no one knew of this affection ?" "No one." "Not even his majesty ?" "Not even his majesty.