I must lay him aside, whilst I return to my _entree_
to the saloon, which I was about to enter.

Immediately after Lebel had conducted me into it, he was called away,
and quitted us. The king rose and approached me, saluting me with the
most admirable gallantry, and addressing to me the most encouraging and
gratifying words. His gentle, yet polished manners, fine countenance,
noble air, and the free and unrestrained glances of admiration which
sparkled in his eyes, communicated to me a feeling of support and
confidence which effectually reassured me, and roused me from the
involuntary emotion I had felt at the moment when I first appeared in
his presence. The king addressed a few words to comte Jean, and then
regarded him steadily, as tho' he were trying to recall his features;
but his eye quickly turned on me again, upon whom he bestowed the most
intoxicating attention. Never was first sight more effective, and never
did a flame so rapidly increase as did the passion of my noble adorer.
Ere we had seated ourselves at the supper-table, he was ages gone in
love.

It would have provoked a smile from any countenance to perceive how
the respect and admiration with which the three courtiers regarded
me increased in proportion as the sentiments of the king towards me
betrayed themselves more and more. At first I had been considered as
a person of little or no importance. Soon, however, as their sagacious
eyes discovered the state of their master's mind, the air of familiarity
with which they had regarded me gave place to a more studied politeness,
which, in its turn, as matters progressed, was superseded by the most
delicate attention; and ere we rose from table these gentlemen watched
my looks with the most eager anxiety to obtain the honor of my notice,
and hopes of future patronage from one whom they easily foresaw would be
fully qualified to bestow it. Comte Jean observed all that was passing
in profound silence. As for me, I talked and laughed with perfect
freedom from restraint, and my frank unaffected mirth appeared to
enchant the king; I knew that he was weary of the nice formalities of
courtly beauty, and desired to refresh his eyes and ears with something
less refined, and I gratified him to his heart's wish. The conversation
became lively and animated, the merits of men of letters were discussed,
the French and Italian theatre passed in review before us, and finally,
we amused ourselves with anecdotes relative to