CHAPTER I.
SHOWING WHAT NEITHER THE NAIAD NOR DRYAD HAD ANTICIPATED.
Saint-Aignan stopped at the foot of the staircase which led to the _entresol_, where the maids of honor were lodged, and to the first floor, where Madame's apartments were situated.

Then, by means of one of the servants who was passing, he sent to apprise Malicorne, who was still with Monsieur.

After having waited ten minutes, Malicorne arrived, looking full of suspicion and importance.

The king drew back toward the darkest part of the vestibule.

Saint-Aignan, on the contrary, advanced to meet him, but at the first words, indicating his wish, Malicorne drew back abruptly.
"Oh! oh!" he said, "you want me to introduce you into the rooms of the maids of honor ?" "Yes." "You know very well that I cannot do anything of the kind, without being made acquainted with your object." "Unfortunately, my dear Monsieur Malicorne, it is quite impossible for me to give you any explanation: you must therefore confide in me as in a friend who got you out of a great difficulty yesterday, and who now begs you to draw him out of one to-day." "Yet, I told you, monsieur, what my object was; that my object was not to sleep out in the open air, and any man might express the same wish, while you, however, admit nothing." "Believe me, my dear Monsieur Malicorne," Saint-Aignan persisted, "that if I were permitted to explain myself, I would do so." "In that case, my dear monsieur, it is impossible for me to allow you to enter Mademoiselle de Montalais's apartment." "Why so ?" "You know why better than any one else, since you caught me on the wall paying my addresses to Mademoiselle de Montalais; it would, therefore, be an excess of kindness, on my part, you will admit, since I am paying my attentions to her, to open the door of her room to you." "But who told you it was on her account I asked you for the key ?" "For whom, then ?" "She does not lodge there alone, I suppose ?" "No, certainly; for Mademoiselle de la Valliere shares her rooms with her; but, really, you have nothing more to do with Mademoiselle de la Valliere than with Mademoiselle de Montalais, and there are only two men to whom I would give this key; to M.de Bragelonne, if he begged me to give it him, and to the king if he ordered me to do so." "In that case, give me the key, monsieur, I order you to do so," said the king, advancing from the obscurity, and partially opening his cloak.
"Mademoiselle de Montalais will step down to talk with you, while we go upstairs to Mademoiselle de la Valliere, for, in fact, it is she only whom we require." "The king," exclaimed Malicorne, bowing down to the very ground.
"Yes, the king," said Louis, smiling, "the king, who is as pleased with your resistance as with your capitulation.