Let us go and seek her, Pelisson." The superintendent reached forth his hand towards the golden and silken cord placed in the interior of his carriage, but Pelisson stopped him.
"Monseigneur," said he, "you are going to lose as much time in seeking this lady as Columbus took to discover the new world.

Now, we have but two hours in which we can possibly succeed; the _concierge_ once gone to bed, how shall we get at him without making a disturbance?
When daylight dawns, how can we conceal our proceedings?
Go, go yourself, monseigneur, and do not seek either woman or angel to-night." "But, my dear Pelisson, here we are before her door." "What! before the angel's door ?" "Why, yes." "This is the hotel of Madame de Belliere!" "Hush!" "Ah! Good Lord!" exclaimed Pelisson.
"What have you to say against her ?" "Nothing, alas! and it is that which causes my despair.

Nothing, absolutely nothing.

Why can I not, on the contrary, say ill enough of her to prevent your going to her ?" But Fouquet had already given orders to stop, and the carriage was motionless.

"Prevent me!" cried Fouquet; "why, no power on earth should prevent my going to pay my compliments to Madame de Plessis-Belliere; besides, who knows that we shall not stand in need of her!" "No, monseigneur, no!" "But I do not wish you to wait for me, Pelisson," replied Fouquet, sincerely courteous.
"The more reason I should, monseigneur; knowing that you are keeping me waiting, you will, perhaps, stay a shorter time.