darkness is still greater under those large trees. It is not likely you were recognized by the king. To inform him of it, by being the first to speak, is to denounce yourself."
"Oh, madame! madame! if Mademoiselle de la Valliere were recognized, I must have been recognized also. Besides, Monsieur de St. Aignan did not leave a doubt on the subject."
"Did you, then, say anything very disrespectful of the king?"
"Not at all so; it was one of the others who made some very flattering remarks about the king, and my remarks will have been so much in contrast with hers."
"That Montalais is such a giddy girl," said madame.
"It was not Montalais. Montalais said nothing; it was La Valliere."
Madame started as if she had not known it perfectly already. "No, no," she said, "the king cannot have heard. Besides, we will now try the experiment for which we came out. Show me the oak. Do you know where it is?" she continued.
"Alas! madame, yes."
"And you can find it again?"
"With my eyes shut."
"Very well; sit down on the bank where you were, where La Valliere was, and speak in the tone and to the same effect as you did before; I will conceal myself in the thicket, and if I can hear you I will tell you so."
"Yes, madame."
"If, therefore, you really spoke sufficiently loud for the king to have heard you, in that case "
Athenais seemed to await the conclusion of the phrase with some anxiety.
"In that case," said madame, in a suffocated Toice, arising doubtless from her hurried progress; "in that case I forbid you—" And madame again increased her pace. Suddenly, however, she stopped. "An idea occurs to me," she said.
"A good idea, no doubt, madame," replied Mile, de Tonnay-Charente.
"Montalais must be as much embarrassed as La Valliere and yourself."
"Less so, for she is less compromised, having said less."
"That does not matter; she will help you, I dare say, by deviating a little from the exact truth."
"Especially if she knows that your highness is kind enough to interest yourself about me."
