into the case as it stands; we were living on the
most friendly understanding, and by the artfulness of her tales and
complaints, she has set your majesty against me."

"I swear to you," said the king, "that on no occasion has a bitter
word ever passed her lips; I swear that, even in my wildest bursts of
passion, she would not allow me to menace any one; and I swear, too,
that you do not possess a more devoted and respectful friend than she
is."

"Friend!" said Madame, with an expression of supreme disdain.

"Take care, Madame!" said the king; "you forget that you now understand
me, and that from this moment everything is equalized. Mademoiselle de
la Valliere will be whatever I may choose her to become; and to-morrow,
if I were determined to do so, I could seat her on a throne."

"She was not born to a throne, at least, and whatever you may do can
affect the future alone, but cannot affect the past."

"Madame, towards you I have shown every kind consideration, and every
eager desire to please you; do not remind me that I am master."

"It is the second time, sire, that you have made that remark, and I have
already informed you I am ready to submit."

"In that case, then, you will confer upon me the favor of receiving
Mademoiselle de la Valliere back again."

"For what purpose, sire, since you have a throne to bestow upon her? I
am too insignificant to protect so exalted a personage."

"Nay, a truce to this bitter and disdainful spirit. Grant me her
forgiveness."

"_Never!_"

"You drive me, then, to open warfare in my own family."

"I, too, have a family with whom I can find refuge."

"Do you mean that as a threat, and could you forget yourself so far? Do
you believe that, if you push the affront to that extent, your family
would encourage you?"

"I hope, sire, that you will not force me to take any step which would
be unworthy of my rank."

"I hoped that you would remember our recent friendship, and that you
would treat me as a brother."

Madame paused for a moment. "I do not disown you for a brother," she
said, "in refusing you majesty an injustice."

"An injustice!"

"Oh, sire! if I informed others of La Valliere's conduct; if the queen
knew--"

"Come, come, Henrietta, let your heart speak; remember that, for however
brief a time, you once loved me; remember, too, that human hearts should
be as merciful as the heart of a sovereign Master. Do not be inflexible
with others; forgive La Valliere."