But this ejaculation, instead of calming the king's displeasure, rather increased it.

He, moreover, saw himself seconded by Saint-Aignan, for Saint-Aignan, as we have observed, having seen the storm increasing, and not knowing the extent of the regard of which Louis XIV.

was capable, felt, by anticipation, all the collected wrath of the three princesses, and the near approach of poor La Valliere's downfall, and he was not true knight enough to resist the fear that he himself might be dragged down in the impending ruin.
Saint-Aignan did not reply to the king's questions except by short, dry remarks, pronounced half-aloud; and by abrupt gestures, whose object was to make things worse, and bring about a misunderstanding, the result of which would be to free him from the annoyance of having to cross the courtyards in open day, in order to follow his illustrious companion to La Valliere's apartments.

In the meantime the king's anger momentarily increased; he made two or three steps towards the door as if to leave the room, but returned.

The young girl did not, however, raise her head, although the sound of his footsteps might have warned her that her lover was leaving her.