I have never seen a finer color to match with black eyes and a coral mouth." "So much the better for M.de Bragelonne," said Mademoiselle de Tonnay-Charente, with persistent malice.

"He will make amends for his loss.

Poor fellow!" A profound silence followed these words; and D'Artagnan had time to observe and reflect that women--mild doves--treat each other more cruelly than tigers.

But making La Valliere pale did not satisfy Athenais; she determined to make her blush likewise.

Resuming the conversation without pause, "Do you know, Louise," said she, "that there is a great sin on your conscience ?" "What sin, mademoiselle ?" stammered the unfortunate girl, looking round her for support, without finding it.
"Eh!--why," continued Athenais, "the poor young man was affianced to you; he loved you; you cast him off." "Well, that is a right which every honest woman has," said Montalais, in an affected tone.