"The ladies are not on your side, however," returned he. "They all adore Lauzun. But about this command of Artillery—to whom am I to give it?" ("Now I shall know all the depths of your treachery, Athanaise de Montespan!" said Lauzun half aloud to himself from under the couch.) "Did any one speak?" asked the King quickly. "I thought I heard a voice." (Lauzun bit his lips with vexation.) "It must be my parrot, Sire," answered Madame de Montespan. "In giving away so important a post you ought certainly to consult the welfare of France. All personal considerations should be sacrificed." De Montespan spoke pompously. ("_Sacré Dieu!_" murmured Lauzun. "She is a female Judas!") "What can the welfare of France have to do with this appointment?" asked the King, smiling. ("That is what I want to know too," whispered Lauzun. "Speak, serpent!") "No man in France is better adapted to fill this post than Lauzun," added Louis gravely. "How?" cried Madame de Montespan, sitting upright, and speaking in a shrill voice and with much animation, as the King seemed to vacillate. "How, Sire? Can you forget that dissensions between Louvois offended, and Lauzun imperious, (and you know, Sire, his overbearing temper, and how audacious he can be) must be exceedingly prejudicial to the State?" "Spoken like an oracle!" exclaimed the King, looking admiringly at her. "What a head you have for business, madame! You are as beautiful as Venus, and as wise as Minerva!" "Your Majesty flatters me," replied the lady, casting an enamoured glance at him. "I only observe what is perfectly plain. I am sure your Majesty's penetration must have arrived at this conclusion already. Remember, Louvois may resign, if you affront him," continued she, fixing her bright eyes on Louis. "Now, all the fates prevent it!" cried Louis with alarm. "I should be lost without Louvois." "Then you must at once refuse Lauzun!" cried De Montespan with decision. ("By heaven, I will be revenged!" muttered Lauzun, stung with sudden rage at her perfidy, in a louder voice than he was aware of.) "Now I am certain I heard some one speak!" exclaimed the King, frowning, and turning his ear towards the spot from which the sound came. He paused to listen. "Athanaise," said he, rising, and looking suspiciously at Madame de Montespan, "this is very strange. I demand an explanation." His Olympian brow was knit. "Your Majesty is mistaken, you only heard my parrot in the anteroom. Surely you do not doubt me, Sire!" added she in a tearful voice, putting her handkerchief to her eyes. "Such an insult would kill me." Her bosom heaved. "Oh, Louis, you cannot love me if you entertain such unworthy suspicions." Sobs, real or false, here stifled her voice.