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." "Marquise! dear marquise!" added Fouquet, ready to prostrate himself.
"Ah! my God! how did you come here?
And I, to keep you waiting!" "A long time, monsieur; yes, a very long time!" "I am happy in thinking this waiting has appeared long to you, marquise!" "Oh! an eternity, monsieur; oh! I rang more than twenty times.

Did you not hear me ?" "Marquise, you are pale, you tremble." "Did you not hear, then, that you were summoned ?" "Oh, yes; I heard plainly enough, madame; but I could not come.