He experienced this pleasure then, but nothing more, and his heart was not, for a single moment, alarmed at what Madame might, or might not, think of his adventure.

When, however, Saint-Aignan had finished, the king, while preparing to retire to rest, asked, "Now, Saint-Aignan, you know what Mademoiselle de la Valliere is, do you not ?" "Not only what she is, but what she will be." "What do you mean ?" "I mean that she is everything that woman can wish to be--that is to say, beloved by your majesty; I mean, that she will be everything your majesty may wish her to be." "That is not what I am asking.

I do not wish to know what she is to-day, or what she will be to-morrow; as you have remarked, that is my affair.
But tell me what others say of her." "They say she is well conducted." "Oh!" said the king, smiling, "that is mere report." "But rare enough, at court, sire, to believe when it is spread." "Perhaps you are right.

Is she well born ?" "Excellently; the daughter of the Marquis de la Valliere, and step-daughter of that good M.de Saint-Remy." "Ah, yes! my aunt's major-domo; I remember; and I remember now that I saw her as I passed through Blois.

She was presented to the queens.