"La Valliere?"
"Oh! very little influence; no knowledge of business, and small means. M. Fouquet has paid his court to her."
"To defend him would be to accuse herself, would it not?"
"I think it would."
"There is still another influence, what do you say to that?"
"Is it considerable?"
"The queen-mother, perhaps?"
"Her majesty, the queen-mother, has for M. Fouquet a weakness very prejudicial to her son."
"Never believe that," said the old duchess, smiling.
"Oh!" said Colbert, with incredulity, "I have often experienced it."