"Signora," said De Villars, with equal significance, "the King of France seeks a friend who will alienate the elector from Austria, and win him for France. Will you accept the trust?"
"But you said that he loved another woman."
"So much the greater will be your glory in the conquest, for the countess is beautiful and fascinating."
"Is she in Venice?"
"Wherever the elector goes, thither she is sure to follow."
"She must leave Venice; she must be forced to leave!" cried the vindictive Italian, ready to hate the woman whom Max Emmanuel loved.
"You must do better. Induce the elector to forsake her, and leave her in Venice like another Didone abbandonata, while you carry him in triumph back to Munich."
"I will, indeed I will!" exclaimed Lucretia, exultingly.
"Ah, signora," said the marquis, coaxingly, "what a magnanimous and disinterested nature you display! You accede to my request without naming conditions. Allow me to admire your nobleness, and believe me when I say that my royal master shall hear of it."
"Well, tell him that, if it lies in my power, Max Emmanuel shall learn to dislike Austria and love France."