"But, M.Raoul," said Louise, blushing, "we are alone.Every one has left.They will become anxious, and will be looking for us.""Fear nothing," said the young man, smiling, "we are neither of us of sufficient importance for our absence to be remarked.""But I have my duty to perform, M.Raoul.""Do not be alarmed, I am acquainted with these usages of the court; you will not be on duty until to-morrow; a few minutes are at your disposal, which will enable you to give me the information I am about to have the honor to ask you for.""How serious you are, M.Raoul!" said Louise.
"Because the circumstances are serious.Are you listening?""I am listening; I would only repeat, monsieur, that we are quite alone.""You are right," said Raoul, and, offering her his hand, he led the young girl into the gallery adjoining the reception-room, the windows of which looked out upon the courtyard.Every one hurried towards the middle window, which had a balcony outside, from which all the details of the slow and formal preparations for departure could be seen.Raoul opened one of the side windows, and then, being alone with Louise, said to her: "You know, Louise, that from my childhood I have regarded you as my sister, as one who has been the confidante of all my troubles, to whom I have entrusted all my hopes.""Yes, M.Raoul," she answered softly; "yes, M.Raoul, I know that.""You used, on your side, to show the same friendship towards me, and had the same confidence in me; why have you not, on this occasion, been my friend -- why have you shown suspicion of me?"Mademoiselle de la Valliere did not answer."I fondly thought you loved me," said Raoul, whose voice became more and more agitated; "I fondly thought you consented to all the plans we had, together, laid down for our own happiness, at the time when we wandered up and down the walks of Cour-Cheverny, under the avenue of poplar trees leading to Blois.You do not answer me, Louise.Is it possible," he inquired, breathing with difficulty, "that you no longer love me?""I did not say so," replied Louise, softly.
"Oh! tell me the truth, I implore you.All my hopes in life are centered in you.I chose you for your gentle and simple tastes.Do not suffer yourself to be dazzled, Louise, now that you are in the midst of a court where all that is pure too soon becomes corrupt -- where all that is young too soon grows old.Louise, close your ears, so as not to hear what may be said; shut your eyes, so as not to see the examples before you; shut your lips, that you may not inhale the corrupting influences about you.Without falsehood or subterfuge, Louise, am I to believe what Mademoiselle de Montalais stated? Louise, did you come to Paris because Iwas no longer at Blois?"
La Valliere blushed and concealed her face in her hands.
"Yes, it was so, then!" exclaimed Raoul, delightedly; "that was, then, your reason for coming here.I love you as Inever yet loved you.Thanks, Louise, for this devotion; but measures must be taken to place you beyond all insult, to shield you from every lure.Louise, a maid of honor in the court of a young princess in these days of free manners and inconstant affections ---a maid of honor is placed as an object of attack without having any means of defence afforded her; this state of things cannot continue, you must be married in order to be respected.""Married?"
"Yes, here is my hand, Louise; will you place yours within it?""But your father?"
"My father leaves me perfectly free."
"Yet ---- "
"I understand your scruples, Louise; I will consult my father.""Reflect, M.Raoul; wait."
"Wait! it is impossible.Reflect, Louise, when you are concerned! it would be insulting, -- give me your hand, dear Louise; I am my own master.My father will consent, I know;give me your hand, do not keep me waiting thus.One word in answer, one word only; if not, I shall begin to think that, in order to change you forever, nothing more was needed than a single step in the palace, a single breath of favor, a smile from the queen, a look from the king."Raoul had no sooner pronounced this latter word, than La Valliere became as pale as death, no doubt from fear at seeing the young man excite himself.With a movement as rapid as thought, she placed both her hands in those of Raoul, and then fled without adding a syllable; disappearing without casting a look behind her.Raoul felt his whole frame tremble at the contact of her hand; he received the compact as a solemn bargain wrung by affection from her child-like timidity.
