four o'clock
It was on such occasions that Saint-Aignan came to the rescue , and recited verses , or repeated one of those little tales as Patru related them , and which Tallemant des Reaux wrote so cleverly . Or , it might be , that La Valliere was fatigued , and the sitting was , therefore , suspended for awhile ; and , immediately , a tray of precious porcelain , laden with the most beautiful fruits which could be obtained , and rich wines distilling their bright colors in silver goblets beautifully chased , served as accessories to the picture of which the painter could but retrace the most ephemeral resemblance . Louis was intoxicated with love , La Valliere with happiness , Saint-Aignan with ambition , and the painter was storing up recollections for his old age . Two hours passed away in this manner , and four o'clock having struck , La Valliere rose and made a sign to the king . Louis also rose , approached the picture , and addressed a few flattering remarks to the painter . Saint-Aignan also praised the picture , which , as he pretended , was already beginning to assume an accurate resemblance . La Valliere , in her turn , blushingly , thanked the painter , and passed into the next room , where the king followed her after having previously summoned Saint-Aignan .