Part 77 (2/2)
”Jealous of whom? Come!”
”Of everyone.”
”But really?”
”Of the king first.”
”I should think after what you had seen and heard you might be easy on that point.”
”Of this Monsieur de Mouy, whom I saw this morning for the first time, and whom this evening I find so far advanced in his intimacy with you.”
”Monsieur de Mouy?”
”Yes.”
”Who gave you such ideas about Monsieur de Mouy?”
”Listen! I recognized him from his figure, from the color of his hair, from a natural feeling of hatred. He is the one who was with Monsieur d'Alencon this morning.”
”Well, what connection has that with me?”
”Monsieur d'Alencon is your brother. It is said that you are very fond of him. You may have confided to him a vague feeling of your heart, and, according to the custom at court, he has aided your wish by admitting Monsieur de Mouy to your apartment. Now, what I do not understand is how I was fortunate enough to find the king here at the same time. But in any case, madame, be frank with me. In default of other sentiment, a love like mine has the right to demand frankness in return. See, I prostrate myself at your feet. If what you have felt for me is but a pa.s.sing fancy, I will give you back your trust, your promise, your love; I will give back to Monsieur d'Alencon his kind favors and my post of gentleman, and I will go and seek death at the siege of La Roch.e.l.le, if love does not kill me before I have gone as far as that.”
Marguerite listened smilingly to these charming words, watching La Mole's graceful gestures, then leaning her beautiful dreamy head on her feverish hand:
”You love me?” she asked.
”Oh, madame! more than life, more than safety, more than all; but you, you--you do not love me.”
”Poor fool!” she murmured.
”Ah, yes, madame,” cried La Mole, still at her feet, ”I have told you I was that.”
”The chief thought of your life, then, is your love, dear La Mole!”
”It is the only thought, madame, the sole thought.”
”Well, be it so; I will make of all the rest only an accessory to this love. You love me; do you wish to remain near me?”
”My one prayer is that G.o.d will never take me from you.”
”Well, you shall not leave me. I need you, La Mole.”
”You need me? Does the sun need the glow-worm?”
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