Part 35 (1/2)
The whole of the court, that is to say, all the favorites and more intimate associates, and they were numerous, since there were already fivefor the repetition of the ballet This interval had been occupied by poor De Guiche in receiving visits; a the number was one which he hoped and feared nearly to an equal extent It was that of the Chevalier de Lorraine About three o'clock in the afternoon the chevalier entered De Guiche's roo character ”Monsieur,” said he to De Guiche, ”was in an excellent huhtest cloud had passed across the conjugal sky Besides, Monsieur was not one to bear ill-feeling”
For a long ti his residence at the court, the Chevalier de Lorraine had decided, that of Louis XIII's two sons, Monsieur was the one who had inherited the father's character-an uncertain, irresolute character; iood, indifferently disposed at bottom; but certainly a cipher for his friends He especially cheered De Guiche, by pointing out to hi her husband, and that, consequently, thatMadame
To this, De Guiche full of mistrust and presence of mind, replied, ”Yes, chevalier; but I believe Madaerous person”
”In what respect?”
”She has perceived that Monsieur is not very passionately inclined towards wohing
”In that case, Madame will choose the first one who approaches, in order toback her husband by jealousy”
”Deep! deep!” exclaimed the chevalier
”But true,” replied De Guiche
Neither the one nor the other expressed his real thought De Guiche, at the very moment he thus attacked Madaiveness fro De Guiche's penetration, was leading him, blindfolded, to the brink of the precipice De Guiche then questioned him more directly upon the effect produced by the scene of the , and upon the still more serious effect produced by the scene at dinner
”But I have already told you they are all laughing at it,” replied the Chevalier de Lorraine, ”and Monsieur himself at the head of them”
”Yet,” hazarded De Guiche, ”I have heard that the king paid Madame a visit”
”Yes, precisely so Mada went to her in order tois altered in the arrangements of the day,” said the chevalier
”And is there a repetition of the ballet this evening?”
”Certainly”
”Are you sure?”
”Quite,” returned the chevalier
At thisfull of anxiety As soon as the chevalier, who had a secret dislike for him, as for every other noble character, perceived him enter, he rose from his seat
”What do you advise me to do, then?” inquired De Guiche of the chevalier
”I advise you to go to sleep in perfect tranquillity, my dear count”
”And my advice, De Guiche,” said Raoul, ”is the very opposite”
”What is that?”
”To mount your horse and set off at once for one of your estates; on your arrival, follow the chevalier's advice, if you like; and, what isand as tranquilly as you please”
”What! set off!” exclai surprise; ”why should De Guiche set off?”
”Because, and you cannot be ignorant of it-you particularly so- because every one is talking about the scene which has passed between Monsieur and De Guiche”
De Guiche turned pale
”Not at all,” replied the chevalier, ”not at all; and you have been wrongly inforelonne”
”I have been perfectly well informed, on the contrary, ive De Guiche is that of a friend”
During this discussion, De Guiche, somewhat shaken, looked alternately first at one and then at the other of his advisers He inwardly felt that a game, important in all its consequences for the rest of his life, was being played at thatthe question to the count himself, ”is it not fact, De Guiche, that the scene was not so teelonne seems to think, and who, moreover, was not himself there?”
”Whether tempestuous or not,” persisted Raoul, ”it is not precisely of the scene itself that I a, but of the consequences that may ensue I know that Monsieur has threatened, I know that Madame has been in tears”
”Mada his hands
”Ah!” said the chevalier, laughing, ”this is indeed a circumstance I was not acquainted with You are decidedly better inforelonne”
”And it is because I am better informed than yourself, chevalier, that I insist upon De Guiche leaving”
”No, no; I regret to differ from you, vicomte; but his departure is unnecessary Why, indeed, should he leave? tell us why”
”The king!”
”The king!” exclai has taken up the affair”
”Bah!” said the chevalier, ”the king likes De Guiche, and particularly his father; reflect, that, if the count were to leave, it would be an ad which merited rebuke”
”Why so?”
”No doubt of it; when one runs away, it is either frouilt or fear”
”Sofully accused,” said Bragelonne ”We will assign as a reason for his departure, that he feels hurt and injured-nothing will be easier; ill say that we both did our ut otherwise than the truth Co so, the scene of to-day must have wounded you So set off”
”No, De Guiche, remain where you are,” said the chevalier; ”precisely as M de Bragelonne has put it, because you are innocent Once ive me, vicomte; but my opinion is the very opposite to your own”
”And you are at perfect liberty to maintain it, monsieur; but be assured that the exile which De Guiche will voluntarily impose upon himself will be of short duration He can ter from his voluntary exile, he will meet with ser of the king may non a storm upon his head, the end of which no one can foresee”
The chevalier s I wish” And at the saed his shoulders, a movement which did not escape the count, who dreaded, if he quitted the court, to see of fear
”No, no; I have decided, Bragelonne; I stay”