"I do excuse you; for I do not consider that one bearing the name of
Louvois is in a position to affront me by doubting my word."
"Lucky for you," returned Louvois, with his sinister laugh; "for there is not likely to be much harmony between the two families. And now to business. What message do you bear from madame?"
"Her royal highness informs Monsieur de Louvois that on yesterday night, the Marchioness de Bonaletta disappeared from her pavilion in the Palais Royal. As Monsieur de Louvois is well posted in all that takes place in or about Paris, her royal highness is convinced that he is no stranger to this occurrence, and she requires that her lady of the bedchamber be returned to her, or she be directed where to find her."
"Is that all?" asked Louvois, after a pause.
"That is all that I have to say for the Duchess of Orleans."
"You are so very emphatic that I infer you have something else to say, after all. Am I right?"
"You are."
"Well, you may speak. But first, allow me to ask how you happen to be her highness's messenger? Was it by way of sympathizing with the Marchioness de Bonaletta, that you took service with her mistress?"
"My lord prime minister," returned Eugene, proudly, "I serve myself and the requirements of my honor only."
"Ah, indeed! And does this respectable lady pay you well?"