"But the bracelets?"
"Well, Madame, since you yourself expected to receive them from the king, what can I possibly say?"
The argument was a telling one, and the princess was overwhelmed by it, and from that moment her defeat was a.s.sured. But as her heart and mind were instinct with n.o.ble and generous feelings, she understood De Guiche"s extreme delicacy. She saw that in his heart he really suspected that the king was in love with La Valliere, and that he did not wish to resort to the common expedient of ruining a rival in the mind of a woman, by giving the latter the a.s.surance and certainty that this rival"s affections were transferred to another woman. She guessed that his suspicions of La Valliere were aroused, and that, in order to leave himself time for his convictions to undergo a change, so as not to ruin Louise utterly, he was determined to pursue a certain straightforward line of conduct. She could read so much real greatness of character, and such true generosity of disposition in her lover, that her heart really warmed with affection towards him, whose pa.s.sion for her was so pure and delicate. Despite his fear of incurring her displeasure, De Guiche, by retaining his position as a man of proud independence of feeling and deep devotion, became almost a hero in her estimation, and reduced her to the state of a jealous and little-minded woman. She loved him for this so tenderly, that she could not refuse to give him a proof of her affection.
"See how many words we have wasted," she said, taking his hand, "suspicions, anxieties, mistrust, sufferings--I think we have enumerated all those words."
"Alas! Madame, yes."
"Efface them from your heart as I drive them from mine. Whether La Valliere does or does not love the king, and whether the king does or does not love La Valliere--from this moment you and I will draw a distinction in the two characters I have to perform. You open your eyes so wide that I am sure you hardly understand me."
"You are so impetuous, Madame, that I always tremble at the fear of displeasing you."
"And see how he trembles now, poor fellow," she said, with the most charming playfulness of manner. "Yes, monsieur, I have two characters to perform. I am the sister of the king, the sister-in-law of the king"s wife. In this character ought I not to take an interest in these domestic intrigues? Come, tell me what you think?"
"As little as possible, Madame."
"Agreed, monsieur; but it is a question of dignity; and then, you know, I am the wife of the king"s brother." De Guiche sighed. "A circ.u.mstance," she added, with an expression of great tenderness, "which will remind you that I am always to be treated with the profoundest respect." De Guiche fell at her feet, which he kissed, with the religious fervor of a worshipper. "And I begin to think that, really and truly, I have another character to perform. I was almost forgetting it."
"Name it, oh! name it," said De Guiche.
"I am a woman," she said, in a voice lower than ever, "and I love."
He rose, she opened her arms, and their lips met. A footstep was heard behind the tapestry, and Mademoiselle de Montalais appeared.
"What do you want?" said Madame.
"M. de Guiche is wanted," replied Montalais, who was just in time to see the agitation of the actors of these four characters; for De Guiche had consistently carried out his part with heroism.
Chapter XI. Montalais and Malicorne.
Montalais was right. M. de Guiche, thus summoned in every direction, was very much exposed, from such a multiplication of business, to the risk of not attending to any. It so happened that, considering the awkwardness of the interruption, Madame, notwithstanding her wounded pride, and secret anger, could not, for the moment at least, reproach Montalais for having violated, in so bold a manner, the semi-royal order with which she had been dismissed on De Guiche"s entrance. De Guiche, also, lost his presence of mind, or, it would be more correct to say, had already lost it, before Montalais"s arrival, for, scarcely had he heard the young girl"s voice, than, without taking leave of Madame, as the most ordinary politeness required, even between persons equal in rank and station, he fled from her presence, his heart tumultuously throbbing, and his brain on fire, leaving the princess with one hand raised, as though to bid him adieu. Montalais was at no loss, therefore, to perceive the agitation of the two lovers--the one who fled was agitated, and the one who remained was equally so.
"Well," murmured the young girl, as she glanced inquisitively round her, "this time, at least, I think I know as much as the most curious woman could possibly wish to know." Madame felt so embarra.s.sed by this inquisitorial look, that, as if she heard Montalais"s muttered side remark, she did not speak a word to her maid of honor, but, casting down her eyes, retired at once to her bedroom. Montalais, observing this, stood listening for a moment, and then heard Madame lock and bolt her door. By this she knew that the rest of the evening was at her own disposal; and making, behind the door which had just been closed, a gesture which indicated but little real respect for the princess, she went down the staircase in search of Malicorne, who was very busily engaged at that moment in watching a courier, who, covered with dust, had just left the Comte de Guiche"s apartments. Montalais knew that Malicorne was engaged in a matter of some importance; she therefore allowed him to look and stretch out his neck as much as he pleased; and it was only when Malicorne had resumed his natural position, that she touched him on the shoulder. "Well," said Montalais, "what is the latest intelligence you have?"
"M. de Guiche is in love with Madame."
"Fine news, truly! I know something more recent than that."
"Well, what do you know?"
"That Madame is in love with M. de Guiche."
"The one is the consequence of the other."
"Not always, my good monsieur."
"Is that remark intended for me?"
"Present company always excepted."
"Thank you," said Malicorne. "Well, and in the other direction, what is stirring?"
"The king wished, this evening, after the lottery, to see Mademoiselle de la Valliere."
"Well, and he has seen her?"
"No, indeed!"
"What do you mean by that?"
"The door was shut and locked."
"So that--"
"So that the king was obliged to go back again, looking very sheepish, like a thief who has forgotten his crowbar."
"Good."
"And in the third place?" inquired Montalais.
"The courier who has just arrived for De Guiche came from M. de Bragelonne."
"Excellent," said Montalais, clapping her hands together.
"Why so?"
"Because we have work to do. If we get weary now, something unlucky will be sure to happen."
"We must divide the work, then," said Malicorne, "in order to avoid confusion."
"Nothing easier," replied Montalais. "Three intrigues, carefully nursed, and carefully encouraged, will produce, one with another, and taking a low average, three love letters a day."
"Oh!" exclaimed Malicorne, shrugging his shoulders, "you cannot mean what you say, darling; three letters a day, that may do for sentimental common people. A musketeer on duty, a young girl in a convent, may exchange letters with their lovers once a day, perhaps, from the top of a ladder, or through a hole in the wall. A letter contains all the poetry their poor little hearts have to boast of. But the cases we have in hand require to be dealt with very differently."
"Well, finish," said Montalais, out of patience with him. "Some one may come."
"Finish! Why, I am only at the beginning. I have still three points as yet untouched."
"Upon my word, he will be the death of me, with his Flemish indifference," exclaimed Montalais.
"And you will drive me mad with your Italian vivacity. I was going to say that our lovers here will be writing volumes to each other. But what are you driving at?"
"At this. Not one of our lady correspondents will be able to keep the letters they may receive."
"Very likely."
"M. de Guiche will not be able to keep his either."