vely to be reduced to
its material functions, but which, for the sake of humanity's peace of
mind, should be deprived of all its metaphysical inclinations. For my
own part, I confess, when I saw that your majesty's heart was so taken
up by this little--"

"My heart taken up! I! My mind might, perhaps, have been so; but as for
my heart, it was--" Louis again perceived that, in order to fill one
gulf, he was about to dig another. "Besides," he added, "I have no fault
to find with the girl. I was quite aware that she was in love with some
one else."

"The Vicomte de Bragelonne. I informed your majesty of the
circumstance."

"You did so: but you were not the first who told me. The Comte de la
Fere had solicited from me Mademoiselle de la Valliere's hand for his
son. And, on his return from England, the marriage shall be celebrated,
since they love each other."

"I recognize your majesty's great generosity of disposition in that
act."

"So, Saint-Aignan, we will cease to occupy ourselves with these matters
any longer," said Louis.

"Yes, we will digest the affront, sire," replied the courtier, with
resignation.

"Besides, it will be an easy matter to do so," said the king, checking a
sigh.

"And, by way of a beginning, I will set about the composition of an
epigram upon all three of them. I will call it 'The Naiad and Dryad,'
which will please Madame."

"Do so, Saint-Aignan, do so," said the king, indifferently. "You shall
read me your verses; they will amuse me. Ah! it does not signify,
Saint-Aignan," added the king, like a man breathing with difficulty,
"the blow requires more than human strength to support in a dignified
manner." As the king thus spoke, assuming an air of the most angelic
patience, one of the servants in attendance knocked gently at the door.
Saint-Aignan drew aside, out of respect.

"Come in," said the king. The servant partially opened the door. "What
is it?" inquired Louis.

The servant held out a letter of a triangular shape. "For your majesty,"
he said.

"From whom?"

"I do not know. One of the officers on duty gave it to me."

The valet, in obedience to a gesture of the king, handed him the
letter. The king advanced towards the candles, opened the note, read
the signature, and uttered a loud cry. Saint-Aignan was sufficiently
respectful not to look on; but, without looking on, he saw and heard
all, and ran towards the king, who with a gesture dismissed the servant.
"Oh, heavens