"What! not in love?"
"If I have acted in a different manner to what others do when they are in love, it is because I do not love, and because my hour has not yet come."
"Louise, Louise," said Montalais, "take care, or I will remind you of the remark you made just now. Raoul is not here; do not overwhelm him while he is absent; be charitable, and if, on closer inspection, you think you do not love him, tell him so, poor fellow!" and she began to laugh.
"Louise pitied Monsieur de Guiche just now," said Athenais; "would it be possible to detect the explanation of the indifference for the one in this compassion for the other."
"Say what you please," said La Valliere sadly; "upbraid me as you like, since you do not understand me."
"Oh! oh!" replied Montalais, "temper, sorrow, and tears; we are laughing, Louise, and are not, I assure you, quite the monsters you suppose. Look at the proud Athenais, as she is called; she does not love Monsieur de Montespan, it is true, but she would be in despair if Monsieur de Montespan were not to love her. Look at me; I laugh at Monsieur Malicorne, but the poor fellow whom I laugh at knows very well when he may be permitted to press his lips upon my hand. And yet the eldest of us is not twenty yet. What a future before us!"
"Silly, silly girls!" murmured Louise.
"You are quite right," said Montalais; "and you alone have spoken words of wisdom."
"Certainly."
"I do not dispute it," replied Athenais. "And so it is positive you do not love poor Monsieur de Bragelonne?"
"Perhaps she does," said Montalais; "she is not yet quite sure of it. But, in any case, listen, Athenais; if Monsieur de Bragelonne becomes free, I will give you a little friendly advice."
"What is that?"
"To look at him well before you decide in favor of Monsieur de Montespan."
"Oh! in that way of considering the subject. Monsieur de Bragelonne is not the only one whom one could look at with pleasure; Monsieur de Guiche, for instance, has his value also."
"He did not distinguish himself this evening," said Montalais; " and I know from very good authority that madame thought him unbearable."
