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"Certainly," replied Saint-Aignan, "any favor of my master, as a recognition of the proper discharge of my duty, would assuredly be most precious." "In that case, look at this paper, monsieur le comte." "What is it a plan?" "Yes; a plan of M. de Guiche's two rooms, which, in all probability, will soon be your two rooms." "Oh! no, whatever may happen." "Why so?"
The repast finished, Buckingham darted forward to hand Madame Henrietta from the table; but this time it was De Guiche's turn to give the duke a lesson. "Have the goodness, my lord, from this moment," said he, "not to interpose between her royal highness and myself.
But Raoul is in love, and is loved in return; he cannot laugh at the reports which disturb his happiness reports which you seem to have undertaken to interpret, when you know, marquis, as I do, as these gentlemen do, as every one does in fact, that all such reports are pure calumny." "Calumny!" exclaimed De Wardes, furious at seeing himself caught in the snare by De Guiche's coolness of temper.
"Of course; it is quite clear you are not of my opinion, and that you have something to say." "I have only one thing to say, Madame." "Name it!" "That I do not understand a single word of what you have just been telling me." "What! you do not understand a single word about M. de Guiche's quarrel with M. de Wardes," exclaimed the princess, almost out of temper. Manicamp remained silent.
Her restored gaiety makes the French forget why it was long and cruelly overclouded, and aids the many good qualities which she possesses, in securing the popularity she has so generally acquired in the country of her adoption. House-hunting again, and still unsuited. Dined yesterday at the Duchesse de Guiche's; a very pleasant party, increased by some agreeable people in the evening.
"On account of poor De Guiche's accident." "Has anything serious happened to De Guiche, then?" "Yes, sire, he has one hand nearly destroyed, a hole in his breast; in fact, he is dying." "Good heavens! who told you that?" "Manicamp brought him back just now to the house of a doctor here in Fontainebleau, and the rumor soon reached us all." "Brought back! Poor De Guiche; and how did it happen?"
Nearly at the same moment, and as if the flash of the first shot had served to indicate the direction of the other, a second report was heard, and a second ball passed through the head of De Guiche's horse, a little below the ear. The animal fell.
Buckingham listened patiently to Raoul's remarks, for he instinctively felt, without having had any proof that such was the case, that Raoul checked the display of De Guiche's feelings, and that, had it not been for Raoul, some mad act or proceeding, either of the count, or of Buckingham himself, would have brought about an open rupture, or a disturbance perhaps even exile itself.
The smaller room might either shelter Manicamp for a time, who is De Guiche's confidant, and would be the vigilant keeper of the door, or De Guiche himself, acting, for greater safety, the part of a master and confidant at the same time. Yet," he continued, "how about this meeting which is to take place, and which has actually taken place, in this hotel?
The presence of Raoul's and De Guiche's followers being no longer required, the latter remounted their horses, and set off at a sharp trot to rejoin their masters, who were already out of sight. They had been gone but a few minutes, when a single horseman rode up to the door of the inn. "What is your pleasure, sir?" said the host, still pale and aghast at the discovery his wife had made.
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