Montalais began to laugh loudly.
"Heart, eyes," she said. "Oh, sugar-plums!"
"I speak for myself," replied La Valliere.
"Noble sentiments," said Athenais, with an air of protection.
"Are they not your own?" said Louise.
"Perfectly so; but to continue: how can one pity a man who bestows his attentions upon such a woman as madame? If any disproportion exists, it is on the count's side."
"Oh, no, no !" said La Valliere; "it is on madame's side."
"Explain yourself."
"I will. Madame has not even a wish to know what love is. She diverts herself with the feelings, as children do with fireworks, of which a spark might set a palace on fire. It makes a display, and that is all she cares about. Besides, pleasure and love form the tissue of which she wishes her life to be woven. Monsieur de Guiche will love this illustrious personage but she will never love him."
Athenais laughed disdainfully.
"Do people really love?" she said. "Where are the noble sentiments you just now uttered? Does not a woman's virtue consist in the courageous refusal of every intrigue which might compromise her? A properly regulated woman, endowed with a generous heart, ought to look at men, make herself loved — adored, even, by them, and say, at the very utmost, but once in her life, 'I begin to think that I ought not to have been what I am — I should have detested this one less than others.'"
"Therefore," exclaimed La Valliere, "that is what Monsieur de Montespan has to expect."
"Certainly; he, as well as every one else. What, have I not said that I admit he possesses a certain superiority, and would not that be enough? My dear child, a woman is a queen during the whole period nature permits her to enjoy sovereign power — from fifteen to thirty-five years of age. After that, we are free to have a heart, when we only have that left "
"Oh, oh!" murmured La Valliere.
"Excellent!" cried Montalais; "a wife and mistress combined in one. Athenais, you will make your way in the world."
"Do you not approve of what I say ?"
"Completely," replied her laughing companion.
"You are not serious, Montalais?" said Louise.
