[The Vicomte de Bragelonne by Alexandre Dumas]@TWC D-Link book
The Vicomte de Bragelonne

CHAPTER IV
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I well know it is impossible, or rather that it would be impossible, that the greatest queen of the whole world could be jealous of a poor girl like myself.

But, though a queen, she is still a woman, and her heart, like that of any of her sex, cannot close itself against the suspicions which such as are evilly disposed insinuate.

For Heaven's sake, sire, think no more of me, I am unworthy of your regard." "Do you know that in speaking as you have done you change my esteem for you into admiration ?" "Sire, you assume my words to be contrary to the truth; you suppose me to be better than I really am, and attach a greater merit to me than God ever intended should be the case.

Spare me, sire; for, did I not know that your majesty was the most generous man in your kingdom, I should believe you were jesting." "You do not, I know, fear such a thing; I am quite sure of that," exclaimed Louis.
"I shall be obliged to believe it, if your majesty continues to hold such language toward me." "I am most unhappy, then," said the king, in a tone of regret which was not assumed: "I am the unhappiest prince in the whole Christian world, since I am powerless to induce belief in my words in one whom I love the best in the wide world, and who almost breaks my heart by refusing to credit my regard for her." "Oh, sire!" said La Valliere, gently putting the king aside, who had approached nearer to her, "I think the storm has passed away now, and the rain has ceased." At the very moment, however, as the poor girl, fleeing, as it were, from her own heart, which doubtlessly throbbed too much in unison with the king's, uttered these words, the storm undertook to contradict her.

A bluish flash of lightning illumined the forest with a wild, weird-like glare, and a peal of thunder, like a discharge of artillery, burst over their very heads, as if the height of the oak which sheltered them had attracted the storm.


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