Part 13 (2/2)
”And the other?”
”Madeentlemen,” exclaimed De Guiche, anxious to put a stop to the chevalier's reply; ”take care, Mada to us”
Raoul had thrust his hand up to the wrist into his justaucorps in great agitation But the very irls ht, ”has come here only with an honorable object in view, and under honorable protection; and I must learn what that object is which she has in view, and who it is that protects her” And following Malicorne's roup of the , who had done nothing but look at and admire Madame, shortly afterwards left the reception-room, accompanied by the two queens The Chevalier de Lorraine resumed his place beside Monsieur, and, as he accompanied hi the last hour, while looking at so that soht be happy A few of the persons present followed the king as he quitted the apartment; but such of the courtiers as assuallantry of disposition, began to approach the ladies of the court The prince paid his coham devoted himself to Madame Chalais and Madeuished by her notice, and whoard As for the Comte de Guiche, who had abandoned Monsieur as soon as he could approach Madareat animation, with Madame de Valentinois, and with Mademoiselle de Crequy and de Chatillon
Amid these varied political, and aain Montalais's attention; but the latter preferred talking with Raoul, even if it were only to amuse herself with his innuone directly to Mademoiselle de la Valliere, and had saluted her with the profoundest respect, at which Louise blushed, and could not say a word Montalais, however, hurried to her assistance
”Well, monsieur le vicomte, here we are, you see”
”I do, indeed, see you,” said Raoul s, ”and it is exactly because you are here that I wish to ask for soroup with hissly indiscreet” At this remark Malicorne bit his lips and retired a few steps, without ed its expression, and fro in its expression
”You wished for an explanation, M Raoul?” inquired Montalais
”It is surely worth one, I think; Mademoiselle de la Valliere is a maid of honor to Madame!”
”Why should she not be a maid of honor, as well as myself?” inquired Montalais
”Pray acceptladies,” said Raoul, who fancied he perceived they were not disposed to answer him in a direct manner
”Your remark was not made in a very complimentary manner, vicomte”
”Mine?”
”Certainly; I appeal to Louise”
”M de Bragelonne probably thinks the position is above ly
”assuredly not,” replied Raoul, eagerly, ”you know very well that such is not ; were you called upon to occupy a queen's throne, I should not be surprised; how reater reason, then, such a position as this? The only circumstance that amazes me is, that I should have learned it only to-day, and that by the merest accident”
”That is true,” replied Montalais, with her usual giddiness; ”you know nothing about it, and there is no reason you should M de Bragelonne had written several letters to you, but your mother was the only person who remained behind at Blois, and it was necessary to prevent these letters fro into her hands; I intercepted them, and returned them to M Raoul, so that he believed you were still at Blois while you were here in Paris, and had no idea whatever, indeed, how high you had risen in rank”
”Did you not inforive hi some of his severe remarks and moral reflections, and to undo e have had so ? Certainly not”
”Aly
”Besides,” said Montalais, ”it is sufficient to say that it suitedoff for Paris-you were away; Louise eeping her eyes out; interpret that as you please; I begged a friend, a protector of mine, who had obtained the appointment for me, to solicit one for Louise; the appointet her costume prepared; as I had my own ready, I remained behind; I received your letters, and returned the you a surprise Your surprise is before you,more to ask Co people together: they have ive me your hand; I trust that you appreciate the honor conferred upon you, M Malicorne”
”Forgiveto his voice an intonation, the gravity of which contrasted with that of Montalais; ”forgive me, but may I inquire the name of the protector you speak of; for if protection be extended towards you, Mademoiselle de Montalais,-for which, indeed, so , ”I do not see that the same reasons exist why Mademoiselle de la Valliere should be similarly cared for”
”But, M Raoul,” said Louise, innocently, ”there is no difference in the matter, and I do not see why I should not tell it you myself; it was M Malicorne who obtained it for me”
Raoul re hi with hiate Malicorne, but he had been hurried away by Montalais, and was already at some distance from them Mademoiselle de la Valliere atteentle authority, detained her
”Louise, one word, I beg”
”But, M Raoul,” said Louise, blushi+ng, ”we are alone Every one has left They will beco,” said the young , ”we are neither of us of sufficient importance for our absence to be remarked”
”But I have my duty to perform, M Raoul”
”Do not be alares of the court; you will not be on duty until to-morrow; a few ive me the information I am about to have the honor to ask you for”
”How serious you are, M Raoul!” said Louise
”Because the circu?”
”I a; I would only repeat, ht,” said Raoul, and, offering her his hand, he led the young girl into the gallery adjoining the reception-room, the s of which looked out upon the courtyard Every one hurried towards the middle hich had a balcony outside, from which all the details of the slow and formal preparations for departure could be seen Raoul opened one of the side s, and then, being alone with Louise, said to her: ”You know, Louise, that froarded you as my sister, as one who has been the confidante of all my troubles, to whom I have entrusted all my hopes”
”Yes, M Raoul,” she answered softly; ”yes, M Raoul, I know that”
”You used, on your side, to show the same friendshi+p towards me, and had the same confidence in me; why have you not, on this occasion, been my friend,-why have you shown suspicion of me?”
Madeht you loved itated; ”I fondly thought you consented to all the plans we had, together, laid down for our own happiness, at the time andered up and down the walks of Cour-Cheverny, under the avenue of poplar trees leading to Blois You do not answerwith difficulty, ”that you no longer love me?”
”I did not say so,” replied Louise, softly
”Oh! tell me the truth, I implore you All entle and simple tastes Do not suffer yourself to be dazzled, Louise, now that you are in the midst of a court where all that is pure too soon becorows old Louise, close your ears, so as not to hear what may be said; shut your eyes, so as not to see the examples before you; shut your lips, that youinfluences about you Without falsehood or subterfuge, Louise, am I to believe what Mademoiselle de Montalais stated? Louise, did you coer at Blois?”
La Valliere blushed and concealed her face in her hands
”Yes, it was so, then!” exclaihtedly; ”that was, then, your reason for co here I love you as I never yet loved you Thanks, Louise, for this devotion; but measures must be taken to place you beyond all insult, to shi+eld you fro princess in these days of free manners and inconstant affections-aany s cannot continue; you must be married in order to be respected”
”Married?”