One day when the king was with me, he perceived my want of spirits.

"What ails you?" said be, with the greatest solicitude.

"What ails me!" replied I, "I wish I were dead, rather than see
myself the butt of all the scandal of the foul-mouthed gossips
of your court."

The king, suspecting the confidence I was about to repose in him,
was sorry he had asked for it, and was silent. He began to play
a tattoo with his fingers on the chimney-piece. At this moment
mademoiselle Chon came in. The king, delighted at seeing her,
instantly inquired into her state of health. She, after a profound
reverence, said,

"Sire, how can I be well when there is trouble in my family?"

"Ah, ! what is this?" said he, turning to me.

"I am insulted, hooted: they say that I have the misfortune to be
no longer in the good graces of your majesty."

"Ah, tell them they lie in their throats," replied the king,
kissing me on the forehead; "you are the woman of my heart, and
she whom I would fain load with honors. "

"Your majesty speaks to me," I answered, "with great condescension
[my sister-in-law left the room that she might not spoil the
explanation], but yet you are the cause of the insolences which
I am subjected to from the vile crew."