darkness, or in some other way, but she took especial care not to show any of her fancies to her brother-in-law, and accepted the invitation with a smile upon her lips.

She gave directions aloud that her maids of honor should accompany her, secretly intending in the evening to take the most effectual steps to interfere with his majesty’s attachment. Then, when she was alone, and at the very moment the poor lover, who had issued orders for the departure, was reveling in the idea that Mademoiselle de la Valliere would form one of the party, — luxuriating in the sad happiness persecuted lovers enjoy of realizing through the sense of sight alone all the transports of possession, — Madame, who was surrounded by her maids of honor, was saying: — ”Two ladies will be enough for me this evening,