So beautiful was her bearing, the carriage of her dainty head upon her proud white neck, and the sweep of her stately walk, that the young officer's fears were overpowered in his admiration, and he found it hard, as he raised his hand in salute, to retain the firm countenance which his duties demanded.
"Ah, it is Captain de Catinat," said Madame de Montespan, with a smile which was more embarrassing to him than any frown could have been.
"Your humble servant, marquise." "I am fortunate in finding a friend here, for there has been some ridiculous mistake this morning." "I am concerned to hear it." "It was about my brother, Monsieur de Vivonne.

It is almost too laughable to mention, but he was actually refused admission to the _lever_." "It was my misfortune to have to refuse him, madame." "You, Captain de Catinat?
And by what right ?" She had drawn up her superb figure, and her large blue eyes were blazing with indignant astonishment.
"The king's order, madame." "The king! Is it likely that the king would cast a public slight upon my family?
From whom had you this preposterous order ?" "Direct from the king through Bontems." "Absurd! Do you think that the king would venture to exclude a Mortemart through the mouth of a valet?
You have been dreaming, captain." "I trust that it may prove so, madame." "But such dreams are not very fortunate to the dreamer.

Go, tell the king that I am here, and would have a word with him." "Impossible, madame." "And why ?" "I have been forbidden to carry a message." "To carry any message ?" "Any from you, madame." "Come, captain, you improve.

It only needed this insult to make the thing complete.

You may carry a message to the king from any adventuress, from any decayed governess"-- she laughed shrilly at her description of her rival--"but none from Francoise de Mortemart, Marquise de Montespan ?" "Such are my orders, madame.