“Henrietta,” said the king, out of temper; “of all your maids of honor, you have really selected for me the one most full of defects.” “Still she is one of my maids of honor.” “Of course; but what do you mean?” “I mean that, in order to visit this new divinity, you will not be able to do so without paying a visit to my apartments, and that, as propriety will forbid your conversing with her in private, you will be compelled to see her in my circle, to speak, as it were, at me, while speaking to her. I mean, in fact, that those who may be jealous, will be wrong if they suppose you come to my apartments for my sake, since you will go there for Mademoiselle de la Vallière.” “Who happens to be lame.” “Hardly that.” “Who never opens her lips.” “But who, when she does open them, displays a beautiful set of teeth.” “Who may serve as a model for an osteologist.” “Your favor will change her appearance.” “Henrietta!” “At all events you allowed me to choose.” “Alas! yes.” “Well, my choice is made: I impose her upon you, and you must submit.” “Oh! I would accept one of the furies, if you were to insist upon it.” “La Vallière is as gentle as a lamb: do not fear she will ever contradict you when you tell her you love her,” said Madame, laughing. “You are not afraid, are you, that I shall say too much to her?” “It would be for my sake.” “The treaty is agreed to, then?” “Not only so, but signed. You will continue to show me the friendship of a brother, the attention of a brother, the gallantry of a monarch, will you not?” “I will preserve for you intact a heart that has already become accustomed to beat only at your command.” “Very well, do you not see that we have guaranteed the future by this means?” “I hope so.” “Will your mother cease to regard me as an enemy?” “Yes.” “Will Maria Theresa leave off speaking in Spanish before Monsieur, who has a horror of conversation held in foreign languages, because he always thinks he is being ill spoken of? and lastly,” continued the princess, “will people persist in attributing a wrongful affection to the king when the truth is, we can offer nothing to each other, except absolute sympathy, free from mental reservation?” “Yes, yes,” said the king, hesitatingly. “But other things may still be said of us.” “What can be said, sire? shall we never be left in tranquillity?” “People will say I am deficient in taste; but what is my self-respect in comparison with your tranquillity?” “In comparison with my honor, sire, and that of our family, you mean. Besides, I beg you to attend, do not be so hastily prejudiced against La Vallière. She is slightly lame, it is true, but she is not deficient in good sense. Moreover, all that the king touches is converted into gold.” “Well, Madame, rest assured of one thing, namely, that I am still grateful to you: you might even yet make me pay dearer for your stay in France.” “Sire, some one approaches.” “Well!” “One last word.” “Say it.”