Malicorne, the victim of love!"

She stopped on viewing the tragic-comic face of Raoul, who
was vexed at having, in one day, surprised so many secrets.

"Oh, mademoiselle!" said he; "how can we repay your
kindness?"

"Oh, we will balance accounts some day," said she. "For the
present, begone, M. de Bragelonne, for Madame de Saint-Remy
is not over indulgent; and any indiscretion on her part
might bring hither a domiciliary visit, which would be
disagreeable to all parties."

"But Louise -- how shall I know ---- "

"Begone! begone! King Louis XI. knew very well what he was
about when he invented the post."

"Alas!" sighed Raoul.

"And am I not here -- I, who am worth all the posts in the
kingdom? Quick, I say, to horse! so that if Madame de
Saint-Remy should return for the purpose of preaching me a
lesson on morality, she may not find you here."

"She would tell my father, would she not?" murmured Raoul.

"And you would be scolded. Ah, vicomte, it is very plain you
come from court; you are as timid as the king. Peste! at