"In plain truth, mademoiselle, you show a strange persistence in what you say." "If I do, sire, my only motive is that of serving your majesty," replied the noble-hearted girl: "for that I would risk, I would sacrifice my very life, without the least reserve." Colbert seemed inclined to grumble and complain.

La Valliere, that timid, gentle lamb, turned round upon him, and with a glance like lightning imposed silence upon him.

"Monsieur," she said, "when the king acts well, whether, in doing so, he does either myself or those who belong to me an injury, I have nothing to say; but were the king to confer a benefit either upon me or mine, and if he acted badly, I should tell him so." "But it appears to me, mademoiselle," Colbert ventured to say, "that I too love the king." "Yes, monseigneur, we both love him, but each in a different manner," replied La Valliere, with such an accent that the heart of the young king was powerfully affected by it.

"I love him so deeply, that the whole world is aware of it; so purely, that the king himself does not doubt my affection.

He is my king and my master; I am the least of all his servants.