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.