"Stay a moment, duchesse; would you like me to tell you why I will not buy your letters?"
"Pray tell me."
"Because the letters you say are Mazarin's are false."
"What an absurdity!"
"I have no doubt of it, for it would, to say the least, be very singular, that after you had quarreled with the queen through M. Mazarin's means, you should have kept up any intimate acquaintance with the latter; it would look as if you had been acting as a spy; and upon my word, I do not like to make use of the word."
"Oh! pray say it."
"Your great complaisance would seem very suspicious, at all events."
"That is quite true; but what is not less so is that which the letter contains."
"I pledge you my word, duchesse, that you will not be able to make use of it with the queen."
"Oh! yes, indeed: I can make use of everything with the queen."