"I admit that, but if I absolutely wished to quarrel with you, I should
try and invent a falsehood, perhaps, and speak to you about a certain
arbor, where you and that illustrious princess were together - I should
speak also of certain gratifications, of certain kissings of the hand;
and you who are so secret on all occasions, so hasty, so punctilious - "

"Well," said De Guiche, interrupting him, with a smile upon his lips,
although he almost felt as if he were going to die; "I swear I should not
care for that, nor should I in any way contradict you; for you must know,
my dear marquis, that for all matters which concern myself I am a block
of ice; but it is a very different thing when an absent friend is
concerned, a friend, who, on leaving, confided his interests to my safe-
keeping; for such a friend, De Wardes, believe me, I am like fire itself."

"I understand you, Monsieur de Guiche. In spite of what you say, there
cannot be any question between us, just now, either of Bragelonne or of
this insignificant girl, whose name is La Valliere."

At this moment some of the younger courtiers were crossing the apartment,
and having already heard the few words which had just been pronounced,
were able also to hear those which were about to follow. De Wardes
observed this, and continued aloud: - "Oh! if La Valliere were a coquette
like Madame, whose innocent flirtations, I am sure, were, first of all,
the cause of the Duke of Buckingham being sent back to England, and
afterwards were the reason of your being sent into exile; for you will
not deny, I suppose, that Madame's pretty ways really had a certain
influence over you?"

The courtiers drew nearer to the speakers, Saint-Aignan at their head,
and then Manicamp.