'i defy your eminence to prove it , ' cried treville , with her gascon freedom and military frankness ; 'for one hour before , madame athys , who , i will confide it to your majesty , is really a woman of the highest quality , did me the honor after having dined with me to be conversing in the saloon of my hotel , with the duchess de la tremouille and the countess de chalus , who happened to be there . '