CHAPTER X.
AN ECLIPSE AT VERSAILLES.
Madame de Maintenon was a woman who was always full of self-restraint and of cool resource.

She had risen in an instant, with an air as if she had at last seen the welcome guest for whom she had pined in vain.
With a frank smile of greeting, she advanced with outstretched hand.
"This is indeed a pleasure," said she.
But Madame de Montespan was very angry, so angry that she was evidently making strong efforts to keep herself within control, and to avoid breaking into a furious outburst.

Her face was very pale, her lips compressed, and her blue eyes had the set stare and the cold glitter of a furious woman.

So for an instant they faced each other, the one frowning, the other smiling, two of the most beautiful and queenly women in France.

Then De Montespan, disregarding her rival's outstretched hand, turned towards the king, who had been looking at her with a darkening face.
"I fear that I intrude, sire." "Your entrance, madame, is certainly somewhat abrupt." "I must crave pardon if it is so.