But the young officer's dilemma was happily over.

At that instant the double doors were swung open, and Louis appeared in
the opening, strutting forwards on his high-heeled shoes, his stick
tapping, his broad skirts flapping, and his courtiers spreading out
behind him. He stopped as he came out, and turned to the captain of the
guard.

"You have a note for me?"

"Yes, sire."

The monarch slipped it into the pocket of his scarlet undervest, and was
advancing once more when his eyes fell upon Madame de Montespan standing
very stiff and erect in the middle of the passage. A dark flush of
anger shot to his brow, and he walked swiftly past her without a word;
but she turned and kept pace with him down the corridor.

"I had not expected this honour, madame," said he.

"Nor had I expected this insult, sire."

"An insult, madame? You forget yourself."

"No; it is you who have forgotten me, sire."

"You intrude upon me."

"I wished to hear my fate from your own lips," she whispered. "I can