You understand that a man does not very readily place his heart where there is no hope of return, and that it is most essential he should take measures of security in advance." "You are right," said De Guiche with a sigh; "a man's heart is a very precious gift." "Mine particularly is very tender, and in that light I present it to you." "Oh! you are well known, comte.

Well ?" "It is simply a question of Mademoiselle de Tonnay-Charente." "Why, my dear Saint-Aignan, you are losing your senses, I should think." "Why so ?" "I have never shown or taken any interest in Mademoiselle de Tonnay-Charente." "Bah!" "Never." "Did you not obtain admission for Mademoiselle de Tonnay-Charente into Madame's household ?" "Mademoiselle de Tonnay-Charente--and you ought to know it better than any one else, my dear comte--is of a sufficiently good family to make her presence here desirable, and her admittance very easy." "You are jesting." "No; and upon my honor I do not know what you mean." "And you had nothing, then, to do with her admission ?" "No." "You do not know her ?" "I saw her for the first time the day she was presented to Madame.
Therefore, as I have never taken any interest in her, as I do not know her, I am not able to give you the information you require." And De Guiche made a movement as though he were about to leave his questioner.
"Nay, nay, one moment, my dear comte," said Saint-Aignan; "you shall not escape me in this manner." "Why, really, it seems to me that it is now time to return to our apartments." "And yet you were not going in when I--did not meet, but found you." "Therefore, my dear comte," said De Guiche, "as long as you have anything to say to me, I place myself entirely at your service." "And you are quite right in doing so.

What matters half an hour more or less?
Will you swear that you have no injurious communications to make to me about her, and that any injurious communications you might possibly have to make are not the cause of your silence ?" "Oh! I believe the poor child to be as pure as crystal." "You overwhelm me with joy.

And yet I do not wish to have towards you the appearance of a man so badly informed as I seem.

It is quite certain that you supplied the princess's household with the ladies of honor.
Nay, a song has even been written about it." "Oh! songs are written about everything." "Do you know it ?" "No: sing it to me and I shall make its acquaintance." "I cannot tell you how it begins; I only remember how it ends." "Very well, at all events, that is something." "When Maids of Honor happen to run short, Lo!--Guiche will furnish the entire Court." "The idea is weak, and the rhyme poor," said De Guiche.
"What can you expect, my dear fellow?
it is not Racine's or Moliere's, but La Feuillade's; and a great lord cannot rhyme like a beggarly poet." "It is very unfortunate, though, that you only remember the termination." "Stay, stay, I have just recollected the beginning of the second couplet." "Why, there's the birdcage, with a pretty pair, The charming Montalais, and..." "And La Valliere," exclaimed Guiche, impatiently, and completely ignorant besides of Saint-Aignan's object.
"Yes, yes, you have it.