Part 12 (2/2)
”And yet it made a very marked impression upon you,” said the chevalier
”That is not unlikely”
”Is she witty, at all events?” inquired the duke
”I believe so, ham witty, too?” said the chevalier
”I do not know”
”My own opinion is that he h, and she seems to take no little pleasure in his society, which never happens to a clever woman when in the company of a simpleton”
”Of course, then, he must be clever,” said De Guiche, si how De Guiche was pressed by his dangerous questioner, to whoed the conversation The entree was brilliant and joyous
The king, in honor of his brother, had directed that the festivities should be on a scale of the greatest possible hted at the Louvre, where, during their exile they had so gloomily submitted to obscurity, misery, and privations of every description That palace, which had been so inhospitable a residence for the unhappy daughter of Henry IV, the naked walls, the uneven floorings, the ceilings matted with cobwebs, the vast dilapidated chimney-places, the cold hearths on which the charity extended to theloas cos and the thickest carpets, glistening flagstones, and pictures, with their richly gilded frames; in every direction could be seen candelabra, s of the uards of the proudestplumes, crowds of attendants and courtiers in the ante-charass had forrateful Mazarin had thought it a good idea to let the Parisians perceive the solitude and disorder were, with misery and despair, the fit accompaniments of fallen monarchy; the immense courtyards, fored with courtiers whose horses were pacing and prancing to and fro The carriages were filled with young and beautiful wo, as she passed, the daughter of that daughter of France who, during her hood and exile, had soone without wood for her fire, and bread for her table, whom the meanest attendant at the chateau had treated with indifference and contempt And so, the Madame Henriette once more returned to the Louvre, with her heart hter's, whose disposition was fickle and forgetful, with triuht She knew but too well this brilliant reception was paid to the happyrestored to his throne, a throne second to none in Europe, while the worse than indifferent reception she had before hter of Henry IV, as a punish been unfortunate After the princess had been installed in their apartentle, in like ue, they resuan by setting off to see his father, who had left for Blois He then tried to see M d'Artagnan, who, however, being engaged in the organization of a , could not be found anywhere Bragelonne next sought out De Guiche, but the count was occupied in a long conference with his tailors and with Manicaha horses after horses, diamonds upon diamonds He monopolized every embroiderer, jeweler, and tailor that Paris could boast of Between De Guiche and hiorous contest ensued, invariably a courteous one, in which, in order to insure success, the duke was ready to spend a million; while the Marechal de Gramont had only allowed his son sixty thousand francs So Buckingharoaned in despair, and would have shown it ave him
”A million!” repeated De Guiche daily; ”I must submit Why will not the marechal advance me a portion of my patrimony?”
”Because you would throw it away,” said Raoul
”What can that matter to him? If I am to die of it, I shall die of it, and then I shall need nothing further”
”But what need is there to die?” said Raoul
”I do not wish to be conquered in elegance by an Englishance is not a costly commodity, it is only a very difficult accoood deal of ot sixty thousand francs”
”A very es, truly,” said De Wardes; ”even if you spent as ham, there is only nine hundred and forty thousand francs difference”
”Where am I to find them?”
”Get into debt”
”I a further”
Advice like this resulted in De Guiche becoances where Buckinghaant profuseness delighted the hearts of all the shopkeepers in Paris; froha buton, Mada to Mademoiselle de la Valliere He had already dispatched four letters, and not an answer to any one of the fixed for the e ceremony, which was to take place in the chapel at the Palais Royal, Raoul, as dressing, heard his valet announce M de Malicorne ”What can this Malicorne ith ht Raoul; and then said to his valet, ”Let hientleman from Blois,” said the valet
”Aderly
Malicorne entered as brilliant as a star, and wearing a superb sword at his side After having saluted Raoul elonne, I am the bearer of a thousand compliments from a lady to you”
Raoul colored ”From a lady,” said he, ”from a lady of Blois?”
”Yes, monsieur; from Mademoiselle de Montalais”
”Thank you, monsieur; I recollect you now,” said Raoul ”And what does Mademoiselle de Montalais require of me”
Malicorne drew four letters from his pocket, which he offered to Raoul
”My own letters, is it possible?” he said, turning pale; ”my letters, and the seals unbroken?”
”Monsieur, your letters did not find at Blois the person to whom they were addressed, and so they are now returned to you”
”Mademoiselle de la Valliere has left Blois, then?” exclaio”
”Where is she, then?”
”In Paris”
”How is it known that these letters were fronized your handwriting and your seal,” said Malicorne
Raoul colored and sly a”
”Always, iven me some precise information about Mademoiselle de la Valliere I never could find her in this immense city”
Malicorne drew another packet from his pocket ”You may possibly find in this letter what you are anxious to learn”
Raoul hurriedly broke the seal The writing was that of Mademoiselle Aure, and inclosed were these words:-”Paris, Palais Royal The day of the nuptial blessing”
”What does this mean?” inquired Raoul of Malicorne; ”you probably know?”
”I do, monsieur”
”For pity's sake, tell me, then”
”Impossible, monsieur”
”Why so?”
”Because Mademoiselle Aure has forbidden e visitor, and remained silent;-”At least, tell me whether it is fortunate or unfortunate”
”That you will see”
”You are very severe in your reservations”