Part 31 (2/2)
”Yes, yes; I remember You said a feords, but De Guiche showed the most jealousy”
”I should think so,” continued the chevalier, in the sa for hohtily, thoroughly roused by this insidious jest
”Aht? for does not M de Guiche hold the chief post of honor in your household?”
”Well,” replied the duke, soham been remarked?”
”Certainly”
”Very well Do people say that M de Guiche's is reainof the sort”
”Very good”
”You see, neur, that it would have been better, a hundred times better, to have left me in my retirement, than to have allowed you to conjure up, by aid of any scruples I ard as criht, too”
”What would you do?”
”Act reasonably”
”In ay?”
”I should not pay the slightest attention to the society of these new Epicurean philosophers; and, in that way, the rumors will cease”
”Well, I will see; I will think it over”
”Oh, you have tireat; and then, besides, it is not a question of danger or of passion It all arose from a fear I had to see your friendshi+p for me decrease From the very moment you restore it, with so kind an assurance of its existence, I have no longer any other idea in my head”
The duke shook his head as if he h” It being now the dinner hour, the prince sent to infore to the effect that she could not be present, but would dine in her own apartment
”That is nottaken theot jealous; and so they are in the sulks with me”
”We will dine alone,” said the chevalier, with a sigh; ”I regret De Guiche is not here”
”Oh! De Guiche will not reood-natured fellow”
”Monseigneur,” said the chevalier, suddenly, ”an excellent idea has struck me, in our conversation just now I hness, and caused you so that I should be thehiood-natured fellow”
”You say that as if you were surprised”
”Well, you are not so tender-hearted every day”
”ThatI hness do ly; be off, and I will try on my Fontainebleau costume”
The chevalier left the rooreatest care, as if he were giving them different orders All went off in various directions; but he retained his valet de chambre ”Ascertain, and immediately, too, of M de Guiche is not in Madame's apartments How can one learn it?”
”Very easily, monsieur I will ask Malicorne, ill find out from Mlle de Montalais I may as well tell you, however, that the inquiry will be useless; for all M de Guiche's attendants are gone, and he must have left with them”
”Ascertain, nevertheless”
Ten minutes had hardly passed, when the valet returned He beckoned his master mysteriously towards the servants' staircase, and showed hiarden ”What is the matter?” said the chevalier; ”why so many precautions?”
”Look, monsieur,” said the valet, ”look yonder, under the walnut-tree”
”Ah?” said the chevalier ”I see Manica for?”
”You will see in a moment, monsieur, if you wait patiently There, do you see now?”
”I see one, two, fourtheh?”
”He is waiting until the little door of the staircase, belonging to the ladies of honor, is opened; by that staircase he will ascend to Mada to be perfor dinner”
”This is admirable news you tell me”
”Is it not, monsieur?”
”Was it M de Malicorne who told you this?”
”Yes, monsieur”
”He likes you, then?”
”No, monsieur, it is Monsieur that he likes”
”Why?”
”Because he wishes to belong to his household”
”And ive you for that?”