Chapter 43
On his way Louis met the Comte de Saint-Aignan. "Well, Saint-Aignan," he inquired, with affected interest, "how is the invalid." "Really, sire," stammered Saint-Aignan, "to my shame, I confess I do not know." "What! you do not know?" said the king, pretending to take in a serious manner this want of attention for the object of his predilection. "Will your majesty pardon me; but I have just met one of our three loquacious wood-nymphs, and I confess that my attention has been taken away from other matters." "Ah!" said the king, eagerly, "you have found, then - " "The one who deigned to speak of me in such advantageous terms; and, having found mine, I was searching for yours, sire, when I had the happiness to meet your majesty." "Very well; but Mademoiselle de la Vallie
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