Ten Years Later: Louise de la Valliere by Alexandre Dumas Chapter 25 Page 3

and wild gaze showed how complete her forgetfulness or ignorance was.

“The queen recommended you,” continued Madame, “to conduct yourself in such a manner that no one could be justified in spreading any reports about you.”

La Valliere darted an inquiring look towards her.

“I will not,” continued Madame, “allow my household, which is that of the first princess of the blood, to set an evil example to the court; you would be the cause of such an example. I beg you to understand, therefore, in the absence of any witness of your shame — for I do not wish to humiliate you — that you are from this moment at perfect liberty to leave, and that you can return to your mother at Blois.”