Rise, monsieur, and render us the service we request of you." "I obey your majesty," said Malicorne, leading the way up the staircase.
"Get Mademoiselle de Montalais to come down," said the king, "and do not breathe a word to her of my visit." Malicorne bowed in sign of obedience, and proceeded up the staircase.
But the king, after a hasty reflection, followed him, and that, too, with such rapidity, that although Malicorne was already more than half-way up the staircase, the king reached the room at the same moment he did.

He then observed by the door which remained half-opened behind Malicorne, La Valliere, sitting in an armchair with her head thrown back, and in the opposite corner Montalais, who, in her dressing-gown, was standing before a looking-glass, engaged in arranging her hair, and parleying all the while with Malicorne.

The king hurriedly opened the door, and entered the room.

Montalais called out at the noise made by the opening of the door, and, recognizing the king, made her escape.

La Valliere rose from her seat, like a dead person who had been galvanized, and then fell back again in her armchair.