"I was wrong," said the duke, "not to have mentioned it to you,
but I was silent from a desire to preserve peace between you.
Now that the affair has been revealed to you, I will not sully
my lips with a falsehood for the pleasure of upholding an
unprincipled man."

"I will not ask you to tell me more," replied I. "I know enough
to make me despise the cowardly spirit of him whom I reject as
unworthy of my friendship." So saying, I ran to my writing-table,
and wrote to the duc de Villeroi the following note:--

"MONSIEUR LE DUC,--I love my friends with
all their faults, but I cannot pardon their perfidy;
and, since from what I have heard I am left to
conclude, that but for the charms of my attendant
Sophie, I should not have been favoured with so
many of your visits, I now write to warn you,
that I this day dismiss the unfortunate object of
your admiration from my service, and therefore
recommend you to cease all further communication.
Your presence in my house would be any thing
but agreeable to me; and since the fair object which
has hitherto attracted you will no longer dwell
under my roof, I presume your presenting yourself
before me would only be more painful than you have
hitherto found it. The frankness of my conduct may
offend you, but it cannot surprise or grieve you
more than your duplicity has me.

"I remain with befitting sentiments, monsieur