“And you are quite right in doing so. What matters half an hour more or less? Will you swear that you have no injurious communications to make to me about her, and that any injurious communications you might possibly have to make are not the cause of your silence?” “Oh! I believe the poor child to be as pure as crystal.” “You overwhelm me with joy. And yet I do not wish to have towards you the appearance of a man so badly informed as I seem. It is quite certain that you supplied the princess’s household with the ladies of honor. Nay, a song has even been written about it.” “Oh! songs are written about everything.” “Do you know it?” “No: sing it to me and I shall make its acquaintance.” “I cannot tell you how it begins; I only remember how it ends.” “Very well, at all events, that is something.” “When Maids of Honor happen to run short, Lo!--Guiche will furnish the entire Court.” “The idea is weak, and the rhyme poor,” said De Guiche. “What can you expect, my dear fellow? it is not Racine’s or Moliere’s, but La Feuillade’s; and a great lord cannot rhyme like a beggarly poet.” “It is very unfortunate, though, that you only remember the termination.” “Stay, stay, I have just recollected the beginning of the second couplet.” “Why, there’s the birdcage, with a pretty pair, The charming Montalais, and...” “And La Vallière,” exclaimed Guiche, impatiently, and completely ignorant besides of Saint-Aignan’s object. “Yes, yes, you have it. You have hit upon the word, ‘La Vallière.’” “A grand discovery indeed.” “Montalais and La Vallière, these, then, are the two young girls in whom you interest yourself,” said Saint-Aignan, laughing. “And so Mademoiselle de Tonnay-Charente’s name is not to be met with in the song?” “No, indeed.” “And are you satisfied, then?” “Perfectly; but I find Montalais there,” said Saint-Aignan, still laughing. “Oh! you will find her everywhere. She is a singularly active young lady.” “You know her?” “Indirectly. She was the _protegee_ of a man named Malicorne, who is a _protegee_ of Manicamp’s; Manicamp asked me to get the situation of maid of honor for Montalais in Madame’s household, and a situation for Malicorne as an officer in Monsieur’s household. Well, I asked for the appointments, for you know very well that I have a weakness for that droll fellow Manicamp.” “And you obtained what you sought?” “For Montalais, yes; for Malicorne, yes and no; for as yet he is only on trial. Do you wish to know anything else?” “The last word of the couplet still remains, La Vallière,” said Saint-Aignan, resuming the smile that so tormented Guiche. “Well,” said the latter, “it is true that I obtained admission for her in Madame’s household.” “Ah!” said Saint-Aignan. “But,” continued Guiche, assuming a great coldness of manner, “you will oblige me, comte, not to jest about that name. Mademoiselle la Baume le Blanc de la Vallière is a young lady perfectly well-conducted.” “Perfectly well-conducted do you say?”