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LOUISE DE LA VALLIERE. 195 ""Will you accept my kingdom in grateful acknowledg- ment?" "How passionately you love, sire, when you do love." He did not answer. He had seized upon madame's hand and covered it with kisses. "And so you will receive this poor girl back again, and will forgive her; you will find how gentle and pure-hearted she is." "I will maintain her in my household." "No, you will give her your friendship, my sister." "I have never liked her." "Well, for my sake, you will treat her kindly, will you not, Henriette?" "I will treat her as your mistress." The king rose suddenly to his feet. By this word, which had so unfortunately escaped her lips, madame had de- stroyed the whole merit of her sacrifice. The king felt freed from all obligation. Exasperated beyond measure, and bitterly offended, he replied: "I thank you, madame; I shall never forget the service you have rendered me." And, saluting her with an affec- tation of ceremony, he took his leave of her. As he passed before a glass, he saw that his eyes were red, and angrily stamped his foot on the ground. But it was too late, for Malicorne and D'Artagnan, who were standing at the door, had seen his eyes. "The king has been crying," thought Malicorne, D'Ar- tagnan approached the king with a respectful air, and said in a low tone of voice: "Sire, it would be better to return to your own apart- ments by the small staircase." "Why?" "Because the dust of the road has left its traces on your face," said D'Artagnan. "By Heaven!" he thought, "when the king has been giving way like a child, let those look to it who may make her weep for whom the king has shed tears." CHAPTER XXXI. MADEMOISELLE DE LA VALLIERE'S POCKET-HANDKERCHIEF. Madame was not bad-hearted, she was only hasty and impetuous. The king was not imprudent^ he was only in love. Hardly had they both entered into this sort of com-