"The ladies are not on your side, however," returned he. "They all adore Lauzun. But about this command of Artillery—to whom am I to give it?"
("Now I shall know all the depths of your treachery, Athanaise de Montespan!" said Lauzun half aloud to himself from under the couch.)
"Did any one speak?" asked the King quickly. "I thought I heard a voice."
(Lauzun bit his lips with vexation.)
"It must be my parrot, Sire," answered Madame de Montespan. "In giving away so important a post you ought certainly to consult the welfare of France. All personal considerations should be sacrificed." De Montespan spoke pompously.
("Sacré Dieu!" murmured Lauzun. "She is a female Judas!")
"What can the welfare of France have to do with this appointment?" asked the King, smiling.
("That is what I want to know too," whispered Lauzun. "Speak, serpent!")
"No man in France is better adapted to fill this post than Lauzun," added Louis gravely.