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Updated: May 14, 2025
They placed it in a small cabinet, ante-room, or boudoir rather, adjoining the saloon where we once saw M. Fouquet at the marquise's feet. Madame de Belliere gave the coachman a louis, smiled gracefully at the clerk, and dismissed them both. She closed the door after them, and waited in the room, alone and barricaded.
When the servants announced Madame Vanel to Madame de Belliere, the latter was engaged, or rather was absorbed, in reading, a letter, which she hurriedly concealed. She had hardly finished her morning toilette, her maid being still in the next room. At the name -at the footsteps of Marguerite Vanel Madame de Belliere ran to meet her.
"I was told that the discovery of the fortifications there had turned out to M. Fouquet's honor." Marguerite began to laugh in so cruel a manner that Madame de Belliere could at that moment have delightedly plunged a dagger in her bosom. "Dearest," continued Marguerite, "there is no longer any question of M. Fouquet's honor; his safety is concerned.
"This is the hotel of Madame de Belliere!" "Hush!" "Ah! Good Lord!" exclaimed Pelisson. "What have you to say against her?" "Nothing, alas! and it is that which causes my despair. Nothing, absolutely nothing. Why can I not, on the contrary, say ill enough of her to prevent your going to her?" But Fouquet had already given orders to stop, and the carriage was motionless.
"Nay, more than that, it is to her you must present your cameos." "Nonsense." "You know, monseigneur, that my advice is not to be regarded lightly." "But this is unforeseen " "That is my affair. Pay your court in due form, and without loss of time, to Mademoiselle de la Valliere. I will be your guarantee with Madame de Belliere that your devotion is altogether politic."
This time the door opened upon a handsome cabinet, sumptuously furnished, in which was seated upon cushions a lady of surpassing beauty, who at the sound of the lock sprang towards Fouquet. "Ah! good heavens!" cried the latter, starting back with astonishment. "Madame la Marquise de Belliere, you here?" "Yes," murmured la marquise. "Yes; it is I, monsieur."
"Are you surprised, then, that I am still thinking of Saint-Mande?" "Of Saint-Mande?" exclaimed Madame de Belliere; and the looks of both women met each other like two resistless swords. "You, so proud!" said the marquise, disdainfully. "I, so proud!" replied Madame Vanel. "Such is my nature. I do not forgive neglect I cannot endure infidelity.
Marguerite said, or rather muttered a few words, which Madame de Belliere did not even hear. As soon, however, as the marquise had disappeared, her envious enemy, not being able to resist the desire to satisfy herself that her suspicions were well founded, advanced stealthily towards it like a panther and seized the envelope.
And, now that the most scrupulous and sensitive conscience will be unable to reproach me with anything, let my thoughts be bestowed on her who has shown so much devotion for me. Madame de Belliere ought to be there by this time," he said, as he turned towards the secret door.
"Infamous!" murmured Madame de Belliere, tortured by her friend's merciless delight. "M. Fouquet, I should think, must certainly have four millions," she replied, courageously. "If he has those which the king requires to-day," said Marguerite, "he will not, perhaps, possess those which the king will demand in a month or so." "The king will exact money from him again, then?"
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