As soon as the king arrived the young girl dried her tears, but so precipitately that the king perceived it.

He questioned her most anxiously and tenderly, and pressed her to tell him the cause of her emotion.
"Nothing is the matter, sire," she said.
"And yet you were weeping ?" "Oh, no, indeed, sire." "Look, Saint-Aignan, and tell me if I am mistaken." Saint-Aignan ought to have answered, but he was too much embarrassed.
"At all events your eyes are red, mademoiselle," said the king.
"The dust of the road merely, sire." "No, no; you no longer possess the air of supreme contentment which renders you so beautiful and so attractive.

You do not look at me.

Why avoid my gaze ?" he said, as she turned aside her head.

"In Heaven's name, what is the matter ?" he inquired, beginning to lose command over himself.
"Nothing at all, sire; and I am perfectly ready to assure your majesty that my mind is as free form anxiety as you could possibly wish." "Your mind at ease, when I see you are embarrassed at the slightest thing.