474 TEN YEARS LATEK. greatly agitated the king. "Is it for me," she murmured, "that the king remains thus uncovered and exposed to the rain? What am I, then?" "You are, you perceive," said the king, "the divinity who dissipates the storm and brings back fine weather." In fact, a ray of sunlight streamed through the forest, and caused the rain-drops which rested upon the leaves, or fell vertically among the openings in the branches of the trees, to glisten like diamonds. "Sire," said La Vallicre, almost overcome, but making a powerful effort over herself, "think of the anxieties your majesty will have to submit to on my account. At this very moment they are seeking you in every direction. The queen must be full of uneasiness; and madame — oh, ma- dame!" the young girl exclaimed, with an expression which almost resembled terror. This name had a certain effect upon the king. He started, and disengaged himself from La Valliere, whom he had, till that moment, held pressed against his heart. He tlien advanced toward the path, in order to look round, and returned, somewhat thoughtfully, to La Valliere. "Ma- dame, did you say?" he remarked. "Yes, madame; she, too, is jealous," said La Valliere, with a marked tone of voice; and her eyes, so timorous in their expression, and so modestly furtive in their glance, for a moment ventured to look inquiringly into the king's eyes. "Still," returned Louis, making an effort over himself, "it seems to me that madame has no reason, no right to be jealous of me." "Alas!" murmured La Valliere. "Are you, too," said the king, almost in a tone of re- proach, "are you among those who think the sister has a right to be jealous of the brother?" "It is not for me, sire, to j)enetrate your majesty's secrets.'* "You do believe it, then?" exclaimed the king. "I do believe madame is jealous, sire," La Valliere re- plied firmly. "Is it possible," said the king, with some anxiety, "that you have perceived it, then, from her conduct toward you? Have her manners in any way been such toward you that you can attribute them to the jealousy you speak of?" "Not at all, sire; I am of so little importance." "Oh! if it were really the case — " exclaimed Louis violently.
