Immediately after Lebel had conducted me into it, he was called
away, and quitted us. The king rose and approached me, saluting
me with the most admirable gallantry, and addressing to me the
most encouraging and gratifying words. His gentle, yet polished
manners, fine countenance, noble air, and the free and unrestrained
glances of admiration which sparkled in his eyes, communicated
to me a feeling of support and confidence which effectually
reassured me, and roused me from the involuntary emotion I had
felt at the moment when I first appeared in his presence. The
king addressed a few words to comte Jean, and then regarded him
steadily, as tho' he were trying to recall his features; but his
eye quickly turned on me again, upon whom he bestowed the most
intoxicating attention. Never was first sight more effective, and
never did a flame so rapidly increase as did the passion of my
noble adorer. Ere we had seated ourselves at the supper-table,
he was ages gone in love.

It would have provoked a smile from any countenance to perceive
how the respect and admiration with which the three courtiers
regarded me increased in proportion as the sentiments of the king
towards me betrayed themselves more and more. At first I had
been considered as a person of little or no importance. Soon,
however, as their sagacious eyes discovered the state of their
master's mind, the air of familiarity with which they had regarded
me gave place to a more studied politeness, which, in its turn, as
matters progressed, was superseded by the most delicate attention;
and ere we rose from table these gentlemen watched my looks with
the most eager anxiety to obtain the honor of my notice, and hopes
of future patronage from one whom they easily foresaw would be