Now, sir," she continued, when they were alone once more, "you gave a note of mine to the king this morning ?" "I did, madame." "And, as I understand, Madame de Montespan was refused admittance to the _grand lever_ ?" "She was, madame." "But she waited for the king in the passage ?" "She did." "And wrung from him a promise that he would see her to-day ?" "Yes, madame." "I would not have you tell me that which it may seem to you a breach of your duty to tell.

But I am fighting now against a terrible foe, and for a great stake.

Do you understand me ?" De Catinat bowed.
"Then what do I mean ?" "I presume that what madame means is that she is fighting for the king's favour with the lady you mentioned." "As heaven is my judge, I have no thought of myself.

I am fighting with the devil for the king's soul." "'Tis the same thing, madame." The lady smiled.

"If the king's body were in peril, I could call on the aid of his faithful guards, and not less so now, surely, when so much more is at stake.