Fouquet in vain addressed her, with the most agreeable, most pacific salutation; she only replied by a terrible glance darted at the marquise and Fouquet.

This keen glance of a jealous woman is a stiletto which pierces every cuirass; Marguerite Vanel plunged it straight into the hearts of the two confidants.

She made a courtesy to _her friend_, a more profound one to Fouquet, and took leave, under pretense of having a number of visits to make, without the marquise trying to prevent her, or Fouquet, a prey to anxiety, thinking further about her.

She was scarcely out of the room, and Fouquet left alone with the marquise, before he threw himself on his knees, without saying a word.

"I expected you," said the marquise, with a tender sigh.
"Oh! no," cried he, "or you would have sent away that woman." "She has been here little more than half an hour, and I had no expectation she would come this evening." "You love me just a little, then, marquise ?" "That is not the question now; it is of your danger; how are your affairs going on ?" "I am going this evening to get my friends out of the prisons of the Palais." "How will you do that ?" "By buying and bribing the governor." "He is a friend of mine; can I assist you, without injuring you ?" "Oh! marquise, it would be a signal service; but how can you be employed without your being compromised?
Now, never shall my life, my power, or even my liberty, be purchased at the expense of a single tear from your eyes, or of one frown of pain upon your brow." "Monseigneur, no more such words, they bewilder me; I have been culpable in trying to serve you, without calculating the extent of what I was doing.