"What is there astonishing in that? M. de Guiche is susceptible, irritable, and easily loses his temper."
"On the contrary, madame. I know M. de Guiche to be very patient, and never susceptible or irritable except upon very good grounds."
"But is not friendship a just ground?" said the princess.
"Oh, certainly, madame; and particularly for a heart like his."
"Very good: you will not deny, I suppose, that M. de Bragelonne is M. de Guiche's friend?"
"Well, then, M. de Guiche has taken M. de Bragelonne's part; and as M. de Bragelonne was absent and could not fight, he fought for him."
Manicamp began to smile, and moved his head and shoulders very slightly, as much as to say. "Oh, if you will positively have it so--"
"But speak, at all events," said the princess, out of patience: "speak!"
"Of course; it is quite clear you are not of my opinion, and that you have something to say."
"That I do not understand a single word of what you have just been telling me."
"What!--you do not understand a single word about M. de Guiche's quarrel with M. de Wardes!" exclaimed the princess, almost out of temper.
"A quarrel," she continued, "which arose out of a conversation scandalous in its tone and purport, and more or less well founded, respecting the virtue of a certain lady."
"Ah! of a certain lady--that is quite another thing," said Manicamp.
"Your highness will excuse me, but I dare not--"
"You dare not," said Madame, exasperated: "very well, then, wait one moment, and I will dare."
"Madame, madame!" exclaimed Manicamp, as if in great dismay, "be careful of what you are going to say."
"It would seem, monsieur, that, if I happened to be a man, you would challenge me, notwithstanding his majesty's edicts, as Monsieur de Guiche challenged M. de Wardes: and that, too, on account of the virtue of Mademoiselle de la Valliere."
"Of Mademoiselle de la Valliere!" exclaimed Manicamp, starting backward, as if hers was the very last name he expected to hear pronounced.
"What makes you start in that manner, Monsieur de Manicamp?" said Madame ironically: "do you mean to say you would be impertinent enough to suspect that young lady's honor?"
"Madame, in the whole course of this affair there has not been the slightest question of Mademoiselle de la Valliere's honor."