‘But, madame, if this page fell, and if I carried his message. Permit me to ask you why I am questioned.’

The masked lady pressed his arm, and said:

‘Sir, listen.’

‘At your service, madame.’

‘This is what ’s in the air just now. The king is no longer in love with the marquise, and nobody believes that he has ever loved her. She has just committed an indiscretion: she has got the whole Parlement against her with her two-sous tax, and to-day, she is venturing to attack a much greater power, the Company of Jesus. She will be worsted. But she has arms, and before perishing, she will defend herself.’

‘Well, madame, what have I to do with it?’

‘I am going to tell you. Monsieur de Choiseul is half at loggerheads with Monsieur de Bernis; they are not sure, either of them, what they want to try to do. Bernis is going to leave: Choiseul will take his place: one word from you can decide it.’

‘In what way, madame, I ask you?’

‘In letting your visit of the other day be talked about.’

‘What connection can there be between my visit, the Jesuits, and the Parlement?’

‘Write me a line, the marquise is lost. And have no fears but that the most intense interest, the most devoted gratitude.—’

‘I ask your pardon again, madame, but that is a dastardly action you are asking me to do.’

‘Is there any gallantry in politics?’

‘I know nothing about that. Madame de Pompadour let fall her fan before me, I picked it up, I gave it back to her: she thanked me, she allowed me, with her distinctive graciousness, to thank her in my turn.’

‘A truce to all this ceremony! Time is passing. My name is the Countess d’Estrades. You are in love with Mademoiselle d’Annebault my niece, don’t deny it, it’s no use: you are asking a position as cornet—. You will have it to-morrow, and, if Athénaïs attracts you, you will soon be my nephew.’

‘Oh! madame, what excessive kindness!’

‘But you must speak.’

‘No, madame.’

‘I was told that you loved this young lady.’

‘As much as man can do; but if ever my love can be declared before her, my honour must be there too.’

‘You are very obstinate, chevalier! Is that your last answer?’

‘It is the last, as it was the first.’

‘You refuse to enter the Guards? You refuse my niece’s hand?’

‘Yes, madame, if that is their price.’