LOUISE DE LA VALLIERE. 63 be alarmed at this request, which contains nothing in any way opposed to the profound respect with which I subscribe myself, etc., etc." He then signed and folded this singu- lar supplication, when he suddenly observed several ladies leaving the chateau, and afterward several men also; in fact almost every person who had formed the queen's circle. He saw La Valliere herself, then Montalais talking with Mali- corne; he saw the departure of the very last of the numerous guests who had a short time before thronged the queen- mother's cabinet. Madame herself had not passed; she would be obliged, however, to cross the courtyard in order to enter her own apartments; and, from the terrace where he was standing, De Guiche could see all that was passing in the courtyard. At last he saw madame leave, attended by a couple of pages, who were carrying torches before her. She was walking very quickly; as soon as she reached the door she said:
- 'Let some one go and see after De Guiche, he has to
render me an account of a mission he has to discharge for me; if he should be disengaged, request him to be good enough to come to my apartment." De Guiche remained silent and concealed in the shade; but, as soon as madame had withdrawn, he darted from the terrace down the steps, and assumed a most indifferent air, so that the pages who were hurrying toward his rooms might meet him.
- Ah! it is madame, then, who is seeking me!" he said to
himself, quite overcome; and he crushed in his hand the letter which had now become useless. Monsieur le Comte," said one of the pages, approaching him, "we are indeed most fortunate in meeting you." '*Why so, messieurs?" "A command from madame." "From madame!" said De Guiche, looking surprised. "Yes, Monsieur le Comte, her royal highness has been asking for you; she expects to hear, she told us, the result of a commission you had to execute for her. Are you at liberty?" "I am quite at her royal highness' orders." "Will you have the goodness to follow us, then?" When De Guiche ascended to the princess' apartments, he found her pale and agitated. Montalais was standing at the door, apparently in some degree uneasy about what was passing in her mistress' mind. De Guiche appeared. "Ah I is that you. Monsieur de Quiche?" said madame;
