In this manner everything explains itself.

What Montalais said of Malicorne, a mere jest; what you said of M.de Saint-Aignan, a mere jest too; and what La Valliere might have said of--" "And which she would have given anything to recall." "Are you sure of that ?" "Perfectly." "Very well, an additional reason.

Say the whole affair was a mere joke.

M.de Malicorne will have no occasion to get out of temper; M.
de Saint-Aignan will be completely put out of countenance; _he_ will be laughed at instead of you; and lastly, the king will be punished for a curiosity unworthy of his rank.

Let people laugh a little at the king in this affair, and I do not think he will complain of it." "Oh, Madame, you are indeed an angel of goodness and sense!" "It is to my own advantage." "In what way ?" "How can you ask me why it is to my advantage to spare my maids of honor the remarks, annoyances, perhaps even calumnies, that might follow?
Alas! you well know that the court has no indulgence for this sort of peccadillo.