If Madam de Cleves was grieved at first through the thought that she

had no concern in this adventure, the Queen-Dauphin's last words threw

her into an agony, by making it certain she had too much in it; she

could not answer, but continued leaning her head on the bed; meanwhile

the Queen went on, and was so intent on what she was saying, that she

took no notice of her embarrassment. When Madam de Cleves was a little

come to herself,

"This story, Madam," says she, "does not seem very

probable to me, and I should be glad to know who told it you." "It was

Madam de Martigues," replied the Queen-Dauphin, "and she heard it from

the Viscount de Chartres; you know the Viscount is in love with her; he

entrusted this matter to her as a secret, and he was told it by the

Duke de Nemours himself; it is true the Duke did not tell the lady's

name, nor acknowledge that he was the person she was in love with, but

the Viscount makes no manner of question of it." When the

Queen-Dauphin had done speaking, somebody came up to the bed; Madam de

Cleves was so placed that she could not see who it was, but she was

presently convinced, when the Queen-Dauphin cried out with an air of

gaiety and surprise, "Here he is himself, I'll ask him what there is in

it." Madam de Cleves knew very well it was the Duke de Nemours,

without turning herself, as it really was; upon which she went up

hastily to the Queen-Dauphin, and told her softly, that she ought to be

cautious of speaking to him of this adventure, which he had entrusted

to the Viscount de Chartres as a secret, and that it was a thing which

might create a quarrel between them. "You are too wise," said the

Queen-Dauphin smiling, and turned to the Duke de Nemours. He was

dressed for the evening assembly, and taking up the discourse with that

grace which was natural to him, "I believe, Madam," says he, "I may

venture to think you were speaking of me as I came in, that you had a

design to ask me something, and that Madam de Cleves is against it."

"It is true," replied the Queen-Dauphin, "but I shall not be so

complaisant to her on this occasion as I was used to be; I would know

of you, whether a story I have been told is true, and whether you are

not the person who is in love with, and beloved by a lady of the Court,

who endeavours to conceal her passion from you, and has confessed it to

her husband."




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