The Duke of Guise, dressed in a robe of cloth of gold frieze, served

the King as Great Chamberlain; the Prince of Conde as Steward of the

Household, and the Duke de Nemours as Cup-bearer. After the tables were

removed the ball began, and was interrupted by interludes and a great

deal of extraordinary machinery; then the ball was resumed, and after

midnight the King and the whole Court returned to the Louvre. However

full of grief Madam de Cleves was, she appeared in the eyes of all

beholders, and particularly in those of the Duke de Nemours,

incomparably beautiful. He durst not speak to her, though the hurry of

the ceremony gave him frequent opportunities; but he expressed so much

sorrow and so respectful a fear of approaching her, that she no longer

thought him to blame, though he had said nothing in his justification;

his conduct was the same the following days, and wrought the same

effect on the heart of Madam de Cleves.

At last the day of the tournament came; the Queens were placed in the

galleries that were prepared for them; the four champions appeared at

the end of the lists with a number of horses and liveries, the most

magnificent sight that ever was seen in France.

The King's colours were white and black, which he always wore in honour

of the Duchess of Valentinois, who was a widow. The Duke of Ferrara

and his retinue had yellow and red. Monsieur de Guise's carnation and

white. It was not known at first for what reason he wore those

colours, but it was soon remembered that they were the colours of a

beautiful young lady whom he had been in love with, while she was a

maid, and whom he yet loved though he durst not show it. The Duke de

Nemours had yellow and black; why he had them could not be found out:

Madam de Cleves only knew the reason of it; she remembered to have said

before him she loved yellow, and that she was sorry her complexion did

not suit that colour. As for the Duke, he thought he might take that

colour without any indiscretion, since not being worn by Madam de

Cleves it could not be suspected to be hers.

The four champions showed the greatest address that can be imagined;

though the King was the best horseman in his kingdom, it was hard to

say which of them most excelled. The Duke de Nemours had a grace in

all his actions which might have inclined to his favour persons less

interested than Madam de Cleves. She no sooner saw him appear at the

end of the lists, but her heart felt uncommon emotions, and every

course he made she could scarce hide her joy when he had successfully

finished his career.




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