A charitable friend, however, took upon herself to spread the news; it was Tonnay-Charente, to whom Madame had made a sign to approach.
"Good heavens!" exclaimed Tonnay-Charente, "how happy that La Valliere is! the king has just given her the bracelets." Madame bit her lips to such a degree that the blood appeared upon the surface of the skin.

The young queen looked first at La Valliere and then at Madame, and began to laugh.

Anne of Austria rested her chin upon her beautiful white hand, and remained for a long time absorbed by a suspicion which disturbed her mind, and by a terrible pang which stung her heart.

De Guiche, observing Madame turn pale, and guessing the cause of her change of color, abruptly quitted the assembly and disappeared.
Malicorne was then able to approach Montalais very quietly, and under cover of the general din of conversation said to her: "Aure, you have our fortune and our future close beside you." "Yes," was her reply, as she tenderly embraced La Valliere, whom, inwardly, she was tempted to strangle..