Part 60 (2/2)
”The heart, sire, is an organ which requires positively 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 ht, perhaps, have been so; but as for ain 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 soelonne 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 froe shall be celebrated, since they love each other”
”I recognize your enerosity of disposition in that act”
”So, Saint-Aignan, ill cease to occupy ourselves with these est the affront, sire,” replied the courtier, with resignation
”Besides, it will be an easy h
”And, by way of a beginning, I will set about the coram upon all three of them I will call it 'The Naiad and Dryad,' which will please Mada, indifferently ”You shall read nify, Saint-Aignan,” added the king, like awith difficulty, ”the blow requires nifiedan air of the elic patience, one of the servants in attendance knocked gently at the door Saint-Aignan drew aside, out of respect
”Co 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
”Froave it to , handed hi 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, ith a gesture dis, as he read the note
”Is yourforward his arnan-read!” and he handed hinature ”La Valliere!” he exclainan read: ”Forgive ive, also, the absence of the for in this letter A note seeent than a dispatch I venture, therefore, to address this note to your rief and fatigue, sire; and I irant me the favor of an audience, which will enable n
”LOUISE de la VALLIERE”
”Well?” asked the king, taking the letter fronan's hands, as completely bewildered by what he had just read
”Well!” repeated Saint-Aignan
”What do you think of it?”
”I hardly know”
”Still, what is your opinion?”
”Sire, the young lady htened”
”Frightened at what?” asked Louis with dignity
”Why, your ry with the author or authors of so hazardous a joke; and, if your reeable sense, it would be a perpetual irl”
”Saint-Aignan, I do not think as you do”
”Your majesty doubtless sees more clearly than myself”
”Well! I see affliction and restraint in these lines; more particularly since I recall so in Mada his nan, ”youris clearer than that”
”I will do better, Saint-Aignan”
”What is that, sire?”
”Put on your cloak”
”But, sire-”
”You know the suite of rooed?”
”Certainly”
”You know so an entrance there”
”As far as that is concerned, I do not”
”At all events, you must be acquainted with some one there”
”Really, your ood idea”
”You do know soentle lady there”