He stepped back a few paces, and looked along the file of carriages for the purpose of recognizing the one in which he took so strong an interest.

At the door of the sixth carriage he saw La Valliere's fair countenance.

As the king thus stood motionless, wrapt in thought, without perceiving that everything was ready, and that he alone was causing the delay, he heard a voice close beside him, addressing him in the most respectful manner.
It was M.Malicorne, in a complete costume of an equerry, holding over his left arm the bridles of a couple of horses.
"Your majesty asked for a horse, I believe," he said.
"A horse?
Have you one of my horses here ?" inquired the king, trying to remember the person who addressed him, and whose face was not as yet familiar to him.
"Sire," replied Malicorne, "at all events I have a horse here which is at your majesty's service." And Malicorne pointed at Monsieur's bay horse, which Madame had observed.

It was a beautiful creature royally caparisoned.
"This is not one of my horses, monsieur," said the king.
"Sire, it is a horse out of his royal highness's stables; but he does not ride when the weather is as hot as it is now." Louis did not reply, but approached the horse, which stood pawing the ground with its foot.

Malicorne hastened to hold the stirrup for him, but the king was already in the saddle.