LOUISE DE LA VALLIERE. 271 "The suppression of your pension " "Forty-eight thousand francs, and that of Laicques* twelve, make together sixty thousand francs; that is what you mean, I suppose?" "Precisely; and I was trying to find out what would be your equivalent for that." "Five hundred thousand francs, which I shall get from the queen." "Or which you will not get." "I know a means of procuring them," said the duchess thoughtlessly. This remark made the chevalier prick up his ears; and from the moment his adversary had committed this error, his mind was so thoroughly on its guard that he seemed every moment to gain the advantage more and more, and she, consequently, to lose it. "I will admit, for argument's sake, that you obtain the money," he resumed; "you will lose the double of it, hav- ing a hundred thousand francs pension to receive instead of sixty thousand, and that for a period of ten years." "Not so, for I shall only be subjected to this reduction of my income during the period of Monsieur Fouquet's re- maining in power, a period which I estimate at two months." "Ah!" said Aramis. "I am frank, you see." "I thank you for it, duchess; but you would be wrong to suppose that after Monsieur Fouquet's disgrace the order would resume the payment of your pension." "I know a means of making the order pay, as I know a means of forcing the queen-mother to concede what I require." "In that case, duchess, we are all obliged to strike our flags to you. The victory is yours, and the triumph also is yours. Be clement, I entreat you." "But is it possible," resumed the duchess, without taking notice of the irony, "that you really draw back from a mis- erable sum of five hundred thousand francs, when it is a question of sparing you — I mean your friend — I beg your pardon, I ought rather to say your protector — the disagree- able consequences which a party contest produces?" "Duchess, I will tell you why. Supposing the five hun- dred thousand francs were to be given you. Monsieur Laicques will require his share, which will be another five hun- dred thousand francs, I presume? and then, after Monsieur de Laicques' and your own portions have been arranged.
