"And can you be faithful all that time?"
"Madame, when I have undertaken a cause, I am capable of the greatest sacrifices to forward it."
"Then we may count on your word?"
"I pledge myself."
"You hear, gentlemen?" said the Duchesse de Maine. "Let us continue to work. You, Laval, act on the army. You, Pompadour, on the nobility. You, cardinal, on the clergy, and let us leave the Duc de Richelieu to act on Madame de Villeroy."
"And for what day is our next meeting fixed?" asked Cellamare.
"All depends on circumstances, prince," replied the duchess. "At any rate, if I have not time to give you notice, I will send the same carriage and coachman to fetch you who took you to the Arsenal the first time you came there." Then, turning toward Richelieu, "You give us the rest of the evening, duke?"
"I ask your pardon," replied Richelieu, "but it is absolutely impossible; I am expected in the Rue des Bons Enfants."
"What! have you made it up with Madame de Sabran?"
"We never quarreled, madame."