I think she wishes this evening to realize quietly by herself that amusement of the late king, when he said to M.de Cinq-Mars, 'Let us amuse ourselves by doing nothing, and making ourselves miserable.'" Madame felt convinced that some mysterious love adventure lurked behind this strong desire for solitude.

The secret _might_ be Louis's return during the night; it could not be doubted any longer La Valliere had been informed of his intended return, and that was the reason for her delight at having to remain behind at the Palais Royal.

It was a plan settled and arranged beforehand.
"I will not be their dupe though," said Madame, and she took a decisive step.

"Mademoiselle de Montalais," she said, "will you have the goodness to inform your friend, Mademoiselle de la Valliere, that I am exceedingly sorry to disarrange her projects of solitude, but that instead of becoming _ennuyee_ by remaining behind alone as she wished, she will be good enough to accompany us to Saint-Germain and get _ennuyee_ there." "Ah! poor La Valliere," said Montalais, compassionately, but with her heart throbbing with delight; "oh, Madame, could there not be some means--" "Enough," said Madame; "I desire it.

I prefer Mademoiselle la Baume le Blanc's society to that of any one else.