Marguerite advanced a few paces, in order that she might continue to enjoy the humiliating grief in which her rival was plunged, and then said, suddenly,--"You do not accompany me to the door, then ?" The marquise rose, pale and almost lifeless, without thinking of the envelope, which had occupied her attention so greatly at the commencement of the conversation, and which was revealed at the first step she took.

She then opened the door of her oratory, and without even turning her head towards Marguerite Vanel, entered it, closing the door after her.

Marguerite said, or rather muttered a few words, which Madame de Belliere did not even hear.

As soon, however, as the marquise had disappeared, her envious enemy, not being able to resist the desire to satisfy herself that her suspicions were well founded, advanced stealthily like a panther, and seized the envelope.

"Ah!" she said, gnashing her teeth, "it was indeed a letter from M.Fouquet she was reading when I arrived," and then darted out of the room.