But Fouquet, with a bow, said, "I will not sit down until you have pardoned me." "I ?" asked La Valliere; "pardoned what ?" Fouquet fixed a most piercing look upon the young girl, and fancied he could perceive in her face nothing but the most unaffected surprise.

"I observe," he said, "that you have as much generosity as intelligence, and I read in your eyes the forgiveness I solicit.

A pardon pronounced by your lips is insufficient for me, and I need the forgiveness of your heart and mind." "Upon my honor, monsieur," said La Valliere, "I assure you most positively I do not understand your meaning." "Again, that is a delicacy on your part which charms me," replied Fouquet, "and I see you do not wish me to blush before you." "Blush! blush before me?
Why should you blush ?" "Can I have deceived myself ?" said Fouquet; "and can I have been happy enough not to have offended you by my conduct toward you ?" "Really, monsieur," said La Valliere, shrugging her shoulders, "you speak in enigmas, and I suppose I am too ignorant to understand you." "Be it so," said Fouquet, "I will not insist.

Tell me only, I entreat you, that I may rely upon your full and complete forgiveness." "I have but one reply to make to you, monsieur," said La Valliere, somewhat impatiently, "and I hope that will satisfy you.

If I knew the wrong you have done me, I would forgive you, and I would do so with still greater reason since I am ignorant of the wrong you allude to." Fouquet bit his lips, as Aramis would have done.