“Who can tell—jealousy has driven her mad.”
“Sire, would it not rather be your Majesty who has given her cause for it—any other assumption would be humiliating to all of us.”
“I, make her jealous,” said the King with a forced laugh; “in fact, duke, are you speaking in earnest?”
Richelieu did not believe what he said: he was close to the truth in thinking that the King wanted to know whether Lady Dubarry had gone home in order to be sure that she would not drop in at the Trianon.
“I will send Rafté to learn,” he said: “what is your Majesty going to do before supper?”
“We shall sup at once. Is the guest without?”
“Overflowing with gratitude.”
“And the daughter?”
“He has not mentioned her yet.”
“If Lady Dubarry were jealous and was to come back—— ”