IconfessthatthissostaggeredmethatIknewnotwhattothink；but，betweensorrowatseeingmymastersoinfatuatedandbewildermentatariddlethatgreweachmomentmoreperplexing，I
satgapingatHenrylikeamanwithoutcounsel。However，atthemoment，heneedednone，but，gettingtohissaddleasquicklyashecould，hebeganagaintofollowthetracksofthehorse\'sfeet，whichherewerevisible，thepathrunningthroughabeechwood。Thebrancheswerestillbare，andtheshiningtrunksstooduplikepillars，thegroundaboutthembeingsoft。Wefollowedtheprintsthroughthiswoodforamileandahalformore，andthen，withacry，theKingdartedfromme，and，inaninstant，wasracingthroughthewoodatbreak-neckspeed。
Ihadaglimpseofawomanflyingfaraheadofus；andnowhiddenfromusbythetrunksandnowdisclosed；andcouldevenseeenoughtodeterminethatsheworeayellowfeatherdroopingfromherhat，andwasinfigurenotunlikethePrincess。Butthatwasall；for，oncestarted，theinequalitiesofthegrounddrewmyeyesfromtheflyingform，and，losingit，Icouldnotagainrecoverit。Onthecontrary，itwasallIcoulddotokeepupwiththeKing；andofthespeedatwhichthewomanwasriding，couldbestjudgebythefactthatinlessthanfiveminuteshe，too，pulled-upwithagestureofdespair，andwaitedformetocomeabreastofhim。
\"Yousawher？\"hesaid，hisfacegrim，andwithsomethingofsuspicionlurkinginit。
\"Yes，sire，\"Ianswered，\"Isawawoman，andawomanwithayellowfeather；butwhetheritwasthePrincess——\"
\"Itwas！\"hesaid。\"Ifnot，whyshouldshefleefromus？\"
Tothat，again，Ihadnotawordtosay，andforamomentwerodeinsilence。Observing，however，thatthislastturnhadbroughtusfaronthewayhome，IcalledtheKing\'sattentiontothis；
buthehadsunkintoafitofgloomyabstraction，androdealongwithhiseyesontheground。Weproceededthusuntiltheslenderpathwefollowedbroughtupintothegreatroadthatleadsthroughtheforesttothekennelsandthenewcanal。
HereIaskedhimifhewouldnotreturntothechase，asthedaywasstillyoung。
\"MonDieu，no！\"heansweredpassionately。\"Ihaveotherworktodo。Harkye，M。leDuc，doyoustillthinkthatsheisinBrussels？\"
\"Iswearthatshewastherethreedaysago，sire！\"
\"Andyouarenotdeceivingme？Ifitbeso，Godforgiveyou，forIshallnot！\"
\"Itisnotrickofmine，sire，\"Iansweredfirmly。
\"Trick？\"hecried，withaflashofhiseyes。\"Atrick，yousay？
No，VENTREDESAINTGRIS！thereisnomaninFrancedaretrickmeso！\"
Ididnotcontradicthim，theratheraswewerenowclosetothekennels，andIwasanxioustoallayhisexcitement；thatitmightnotbedetectedbythekeeneyesthatlayinwaitforus，andsoaddtothegossiptowhichhisearlyreturnmustgiverise。I
hopedthatatthathourhemightenterunperceived，bywayofthekennelsandthelittlestaircase；butinthisIwasdisappointed，thebeautyofthedayhavingtemptedanumberofladies，andotherswhohadnothunted，totheterracebythecanal；whence，walkingupanddown，theirfansandpetticoatsflutteringinthesunshine，andtheirlaughterandchatterfillingtheair，theywereabletowatchourapproachattheirleisure。
Unfortunately，Henryhadnolongerthepatienceandself-controlneedfulforsuchaRENCONTRE。Hedismountedwithadarkandpeevishair，and，heedlessofthestaring，bowingthrong，strodeupthesteps。Twoorthree，whostoodhighinfavour，putthemselvesforwardtocatchasmileoraword，buthevouchsafedneither。Hewalkedthroughthemwithasourair，andenteredthechateauwithaprecipitationthatleftalltongueswagging。
Toaddtothemisfortune，something——Iforgetwhat——detainedmeamoment，andthatcostusdear。BeforeIcouldcrosstheterrace，Concini，theItalian，cameup，and，salutingme，saidthattheQueendesiredtospeaktome。
\"TheQueen？\"Isaid，doubtfully，foreseeingtrouble。
\"Sheiswaitingatthegateofthefarthercourt，\"heansweredpolitely，hiskeenblackeyesreverting，witheagercuriosity，tothedoorbywhichtheKinghaddisappeared。
Icouldnotrefuse，andwenttoher。\"TheKinghasreturnedearly，M。leDuc？\"shesaid。
\"Yes，madame，\"Ianswered。\"Hehadafancytodiscussaffairsto-day，andwelostthehounds。\"
\"Together？\"
\"Ihadthehonour，Madame。\"
\"Youdonotseemtohaveagreedverywell？\"shesaid，smiling。
\"Madame，\"Iansweredbluntly，\"hisMajestyhasnomorefaithfulservant；butwedonotalwaysagree。\"
Sheraisedherhand，and，withaslightgesture，badeherladiesstandback，whileherfacelostitsexpressionofgood-temper，andgrewsharpanddark。\"WasitabouttheConde？\"shesaid，inalow，gratingvoice。\"No，madame，\"Ianswered；\"itwasaboutcertainprovisions。TheKing\'searhadbeengrosslyabused，andhisMajestyledtobelieve——\"
\"Faugh！\"shecried，withawaveofcontempt，\"thatisanoldstory！Iamsickofit。IsshestillatBrussels？\"
\"Still，madame。\"
\"Thenseethatshestopsthere！\"herMajestyretorted，withameaninglook。
Andwiththatshedismissedme，andwentintothechateau。I
proposedtorejointheKing；but，tomychagrin，Ifound，whenI
reachedthecloset，thathehadalreadysentforVarennes，andwasshutupwithhim。Iwentbacktomyroomstherefore，and，afterchangingmyhuntingsuitandtransactingsomenecessarybusiness，satdowntodinnerwithNicholas，theKing\'ssecretary，amanfondofthetable，whomIoftenentertained。Hekeptmeintalkuntiltheafternoonwaswelladvanced，andwewerestillattablewhenMaignanappearedandtoldmethattheKinghadsentforme。
\"Iwillgo，\"Isaid，rising。
\"HeiswiththeQueen，yourExcellency，\"hecontinued。
Thissomewhatsurprisedme，butIthoughtnoevil；and，findingoneoftheQueen\'sItalianpagesatthedoorwaitingtoconductme，Ifollowedhimacrossthecourtthatlaybetweenmylodgingsandherapartments。TwoorthreeoftheKing\'sgentlemenwereintheanteroomwhenIarrived，andVarennes，whowasstandingbyoneofthefire-placestoyingwithahound，mademeafaceofdismay；hecouldnotspeak，owingtothecompany。
Stillthis，inadegree，preparedmeforthesceneinthechamber，whereIfoundtheQueenstormingupanddowntheroom，whiletheKing，stillinhishuntingdress，satonalowchairbythefire，apparentlydryinghisboots。MademoiselleGaligai，theQueen\'swaiting-woman，stoodinthebackground；butmorethanthisIhadnottimetoobserve，for，beforeIhadreachedthemiddleofthefloor，theQueenturnedonme，andbegantoabusemewithavehemencewhichfairlyshockedme。
\"Andyou！\"shecried，\"whospeaksoslow，andlooksosolemn，andallthetimedohisdirtywork，likethemeanestcookhehasennobled！Itiswellyouarehere！ENFIN，youarefoundout——
youandyourprovisions！Yourprovisions，ofwhichyoutalkedinthewood！\"
\"MONDIEU！\"theKinggroaned；\"givemepatience！\"
\"Hehasgivenmepatiencethesetenyears，sire！\"sheretortedpassionately。\"Patiencetoseemyselffloutedbyyourfavourites，insultedanddisplaced，andsetaside！Butthisistoomuch！Itwasenoughthatyoumadeyourselfthelaughing-
stockofFranceoncewiththismadame！Iwillnothaveitagain——no:thoughtwentyofyourcounsellorsfrownatme！\"
\"YourMajestyseemsdispleased，\"Isaid。\"ButasIamquiteinthedark——\"
\"Liar！\"shecried，givingwaytoherfury。\"Whenyouwerewithherthismorning！Whenyousawher！Whenyoustoopedto——\"
\"Madame！\"heKingsaidsternly，\"ifyouforgetyourself，begoodenoughtorememberthatyouarespeakingtoFrenchgentlemen，nottotradersofFlorence！\"
Shesneered。\"Youthinktowoundmebythat！\"shecried，breathingquickly。\"ButIhavemygrandfather\'sbloodinme，sire；andnoKingofFrance——\"
\"OneKingofFrancewillpresentlymakeyouruncleofthatbloodsingsmall！\"theKingansweredviciously。\"Somuchforthat；
andfortherest，sweetheart，softly，softly！\"
\"Oh！\"shecried，\"Iwillgo:Iwillnotstaytobeoutragedbythatwoman\'spresence！\"
Ihadnowaninklingwhatwasthematter；anddiscerningthatthequarrelwasamoreseriousmatterthantheirevery-daybickerings，andthreatenedtogotolengthsthatmightendindisaster，IignoredtheinsultherMajestyhadflungatme，andentreatedhertobecalm。\"ifIunderstandaright，madame，\"I
said，\"youhavesomegrievanceagainsthisMajesty。OfthatI
knownothing。ButIalsounderstandthatyouallegesomethingagainstme；anditistospeaktothat，Ipresume，thatIamsummoned。Ifyouwilldeigntoputthematterintowords——\"
\"Words！\"shecried。\"Youhavewordsenough！Butgetoutofthis，MasterGrave-Airs，ifyoucan！Didyou，ordidyounot，tellmethismorningthatthePrincessofCondewasinBrussels？\"
\"Idid，madame。\"
\"Althoughhalfanhourbeforeyouhadseenher，youhadtalkedwithher，youhadbeenwithherintheforest？\"
\"ButIhadnot，madame！\"
\"What？\"shecried，staringatme，surpriseddoubtlessthatI
manifestednoconfusion。\"Doyousaythatyoudidnotseeher？\"
\"Ididnot。\"
\"NortheKing？\"
\"TheKing，Madame，cannothaveseenherthismorning，\"Isaid，\"becauseheishereandsheisinBrussels。\"
\"Youpersistinthat？\"
\"Certainly！\"Isaid。\"Besides，madame，\"Icontinued，\"IhavenodoubtthattheKinghasgivenyouhisword——\"
\"Hiswordisgoodforeveryonebuthiswife！\"sheansweredbitterly。\"Andforyours，M。leDuc，Iwillshowyouwhatitisworth。Mademoiselle，call——\"
\"Nay，madame！\"Isaid，interruptingherwithspirit，\"ifyouaregoingtocallyourhouseholdtocontradictme——\"
\"ButIamnot！\"shecriedinavoiceoftriumphthat，forthemoment，disconcertedme。\"Mademoiselle，sendtoM。deBassompierre\'slodgings，andbidhimcometome！\"
TheKingwhistledsoftly，whileI，whoknewBassompierretobedevotedtohim，andtobe，inspiteofthelevitytowhichhisendlessgallantriesborewitness，amanofsenseandjudgment，preparedmyselfforaseriousstruggle；judgingthatwewereinthemeshesofanintrigue，whereinitwasimpossibletosaywhethertheQueenfiguredasactorordupe。Thepassionsheevincedasshewalkedtoandfrowithclenchedhands，orturnednowandagaintodartafieryglanceattheCordovancurtainthathidthedoor，wassonaturaltohercharacterthatIfoundmyselfleaningtothelattersupposition。Still，ingravedoubtwhatpartBassompierrewastoplay，Ilookedforhiscomingasanxiouslyasanyone。AndprobablytheKingsharedthisfeeling；
butheaffectedindifference，andcontinuedtositoverthefirewithanairofmingledscornandpeevishness。
AtlengthBassompierreentered，and，seeingtheKing，advancedwithanopenbrowthatpersuadedme，atleast，ofhisinnocence。
Attackedontheinstant，however，bytheQueen，andtakenbysurprise，asitwere，betweentwofires——thoughtheKingkeptsilence，andmerelyshruggedhisshoulders——hiscountenancefell。
HewasatthattimeoneofthehandsomestgallantsabouttheCourt，thirtyyearsold，andthedarlingofwomen；butatthishisAPLOMBfailedhim，andwithitmyheartsankalso。
\"Answer，sir！answer！\"theQueencried。\"Andwithoutsubterfuge！Whowasit，sir，whomyousawcomefromtheforestthismorning？\"
\"Madame？\"
\"Inoneword！\"
\"IfyourMajestywill——\"
\"Iwillpermityoutoanswer，\"theQueenexclaimed。
\"IsawhisMajestyreturn，\"hefaltered——\"andM。deSully。\"
\"Beforethem！beforethem！\"
\"Imayhavebeenmistaken。\"
\"Pooh，man！\"theQueencriedwithbitingcontempt。\"Youhavetoldittohalf-a-dozen。Discretioncomesalittlelate。\"
\"Well，ifyouwill，madame，\"hesaid，strivingtoasserthimself，butcuttingapoorfigure，\"IfanciedthatIsawMadamedeConde——\"
\"ComeoutofthewoodtenminutesbeforetheKing？\"
\"Itmayhavebeentwenty，\"hemuttered。
ButtheQueencarednomoreforhim。Sheturned，lookingsuperbinherwrath，totheKing。\"Now，sir！\"shesaid。\"AmItobearthis？\"
\"Sweet！\"theKingsaid，governinghistemperinawaythatsurprisedme，\"hearreason，andyoushallhaveitinaword。HownearwasBassompierretotheladyhesaw？\"
\"Iwasnotwithinfiftypacesofher！\"thefavouritecriedeagerly。
\"Butotherssawher！\"theQueenrejoinedsharply。\"MadamePaleotti，whowaswiththegentleman，sawheralso，andknewher。\"
\"Atadistanceoffiftypaces？\"theKingsaiddrily。\"Idon\'tattachmuchweighttothat。\"Andthen，rising，withaslightyawn。\"Madame，\"hecontinued，withtheairofcommandwhichheknewsowellhowtoassume，\"forthepresent，Iamtired！IfMadamedeCondeishere，itwillnotbedifficulttogetfurtherevidenceofherpresence。IfsheisatBrussels，thatfact，too，youcanascertain。Dotheoneortheother，asyouplease；but，forto-day，Ibegthatyouwillexcuseme。\"
\"Andthat，\"theQueencriedshrilly——\"thatistobe——\"
\"All，madame！\"theKingsaidsternly。\"Moreover，letmehavenopratingoutsidethisroom。Grand-Master，Iwilltroubleyou。\"
Andwiththesewords，utteredinavoiceandwithanairthatsilencedeventheangrywomanbeforeus，hesignedtometofollowhim，andwentfromtheroom；thefirstglanceofhiseyestillingthecrowdedante-chamber，asiftheshadowofdeathpassedwithhim。Ifollowedhimtohiscloset；but，untilhereachedit，hadnoinklingofwhatwasinhisthoughts。Thenheturnedtome。
\"Whereisshe？\"hesaidsharply。
Istaredathimamoment。\"Pardon，said。\"DoyouthinkthatitwasMadamedeConde？\"
\"Whynot？\"
\"SheisinBrussels。\"
\"ItellyouIsawherthismorning！\"heanswered。\"Go，learnallyoucan！Findher！Findher！Ifshehasreturned，Iwill——
GodknowswhatIwilldo！\"hecried，inavoiceshamefullybroken。\"Go；andsendVarennestome。Ishallsupalone:letnoonewait。\"
Iwouldhaveremonstratedwithhim，buthewasinnomoodtobearit；and，sadatheart，Iwithdrew，feelingtheperplexity，whichthesituationcausedme，alessheavyburdenthanthepainwithwhichIviewedthechangethathadoflatecomeovermymaster；
convertinghimfromthegayestandmostDEBONAIREofmenintothismoroseandsolitarydreamer。Here，hadIfeltanytemptationtomoraliseonthetyrannyofpassion，wastheoccasion；but，asthefartherIlefttheclosetbehindmethemoreinstantbecamethecrisis，thepresentsoonreasserteditspower。ReflectingthatHenry，inthisstateofuncertainty，wascapableofthewildestacts，andthatnotlesswastobefearedfromhisimprudencethanfromtheQueen\'sresentment，IcudgelledmybrainstoexplaintheRENCONTREofthemorning；butasthecourier，whomIquestioned，confirmedthereportofmyagents，andasseveratedmostconfidentlythathehadleftMadameinBrussels，Iwasflungbackonthealternativeofanaccidentalresemblance。This，however，whichstoodforatimeasthemostprobablesolution，scarcelyaccountedforthewoman\'speculiarconduct，andquitefelltothegroundwhenLaTrape，makingcautiousinquiries，ascertainedthatnoladyhuntingthatdayhadwornayellowfeather。Again，therefore，Ifoundmyselfataloss；andthedejectionoftheKingandtheQueen\'sill-tempergivingrisetothewildestsurmises，andthreateningeachhourtosupplythegossipsoftheCourtwithastartlingscandal，theissueofwhichnoonecouldforesee，IwentsofarastotakeintomyconfidenceMM。EpernonandMontbazon；butwithnoresult。
Suchbeingmystateofmind，andsuchthesuspenseIsufferedduringtwodays，itmaybeimaginedthatM。Bassompierrewasnotmorehappy。DespairingoftheKing\'sfavourunlesshecouldclearupthematter，andbytheeventjustifyhisindiscretion，hebecameforthosetwodaysthewonder，andalmosttheterror，oftheCourt。Ignorantofwhathewanted，thecourtiersfoundonlyinsolenceinhismysteriousquestions，andsomethingprodigiousinanactivitywhichcarriedhiminonedaytoParisandback，andonthefollowingtoeveryplaceinthevicinitywherenewsofthefleetingbeautymightbyanypossibilitybegained；sothathefaroutstrippedmyagents，whowereonthesamequest。ButthoughIhadnomeanopinionofhisabilities，I
hopedlittlefromtheseexertions，andwasproportionatelypleasedwhen，onthethirdday，hecametomewitharadiantfaceandinvitedmetoattendtheQueenthatevening。
\"TheKingwillbethere，\"hesaid，\"andIshallsurpriseyou。
ButIwillnottellyoumore。Come！andIpromisetosatisfyyou。\"
Andthatwasallhewouldsay；sothat，findingmyquestionsuseless，andthemanalmostfranticwithjoy，Ihadtobecontentwithit；andattheQueen\'shourthateveningpresentedmyselfinhergallery，whichprovedtobeunusuallyfull。
Makingmywaytowardsherinsomedoubtofmyreception，Ifoundmyworstfearsconfirmed。Shegreetedmewithasneeringface，andwaspreparing，Iwassure，toputsomeslightuponme——amatterwhereinshecouldalwayscountontheapplauseofherItalianservants——whentheentranceoftheKingtookherbysurprise。Headvancedupthegallerywithalistlessair，and，aftersalutingher，stoodbyoneofthefireplacestalkingtoEpernonandLaForce。Thecrowdwasprettydensebythistime，andthehumoftalkfilledtheroomwhen，onasudden，avoice，whichIrecognisedasBassompierre\'s，wasliftedaboveit。
\"Verywell！\"becriedgaily，\"thenIappealtoherMajesty。Sheshalldecide，mademoiselle！No，no；Iamnotsatisfiedwithyourclaim！\"
TheKinglookedthatwaywithafrown，buttheQueentooktheoutburstingoodpart。\"Whatisit，M。deBassompierre？\"shesaid。\"WhatamItodecide？\"
\"To-day，intheforest，Ifoundaring，madame，\"heanswered，comingforward。\"ItoldMademoiselledelaForceofmydiscovery，andshenowclaimsthering。\"
\"Ioncehadaringlikeit，\"criedmademoiselle，blushingandlaughing。
\"Asapphirering？\"Bassompierreanswered，holdinghishandaloft。
\"Yes。\"
\"Withthreestones？\"
\"Yes，\"
\"Precisely，mademoiselle！\"heanswered，bowing。\"Butthestonesinthisringarenotsapphires，noraretherethreeofthem。\"
Therewasagreatlaughatthis，andtheQueensaid，verywittily，thatasneitheroftheclaimantscouldprovearighttotheringitmustreverttothejudge。
\"InonemomentyourMajestyshallatleastseeit，\"heanswered。
\"But，first，hasanyonelostaring？Oyez！Oyez！Oyez！Lost，intheforest，withinthelastthreedays，aring！\"
Twoorthree，fallinginwithhishumour，setupabsurdclaimstoit；butnonecoulddescribethering，andintheendhehandedittotheQueen。Ashedidsohiseyesmetmineandchallengedmyattention。Iwasprepared，therefore，forthecryofsurprisewhichbrokefromtheQueen。
\"Why，thisisCaterina\'s！\"shecried。\"Whereisthechild？\"
SomeonepushedforwardMademoisellePaleotti，sister-in-lawtoMadamePaleotti，theQueen\'sfirstchamberwoman。Shewasbarelyoutofherteens，and，ordinarily，wasaprettygirl；butthemomentIsawherdead-whiteface，framedinacircleofflutteringfansandpitiless，sparklingeyes，Idiscernedtragedyinthefarce；andthatM。deBassompierrewasactinginadramatowhichonlyheandoneotherheldthekey。Thecontrastbetweenthegirl\'sblanchedfaceandthebeautyandglitterinthemidstofwhichshestoodstruckothers，sothat，beforeanotherwordwassaid，Icaughtthegaspofsurprisethatpassedthroughtheroom；norwasItheonlyonewhodrewnearer。
\"Why，girl，\"theQueensaid，\"thisistheringIgaveyouonmybirthday！Whendidyouloseit？Andwhyhaveyoumadeasecretofit？\"
Mademoisellestoodspeechless；butmadamehersister-in-lawansweredforher。\"DoubtlessshewasafraidthatyourMajestywouldthinkhercareless，\"sheanswered。
\"Ididnotaskyou！\"theQueenrejoined。
Shespokeharshlyandsuspiciously，lookingfromtheringtothetremblinggirl。Thesilencewassuchthatthechatterofthepagesintheanteroomcouldbeheard。StillMademoisellestooddumbandconfounded。
\"Well，whatisthemystery？\"theQueensaid，lookingroundwithalittlewonder。\"Whatisthematter？ItISthering。Whydoyounotownit？\"
\"Perhapsmademoiselleiswonderingwherearetheotherthingssheleftwithit！\"Bassompierresaidinasilkytone。\"ThethingssheleftatParlottheverderer\'s，whenshedroppedthering。
Butshemayfreehermind；Ihavethemhere。\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"theQueensaid。\"Whatthings，monsieur？
Whathasthegirlbeendoing？\"
\"Onlywhatmanyhavedonebeforeher，\"Bassompierreanswered，bowingtohisunfortunatevictim，whoseemedtobeparalysedbyterror:\"masqueradinginotherpeople\'sclothes。Ipropose，madame，that，forpunishment，youorderhertodressinthem，thatwemayseewhathertasteis。\"
\"Idonotunderstand？\"theQueensaid。
\"YourMajestywill，ifMademoisellePaleottiwillconsenttohumourus。\"
Atthatthegirlutteredacry，andlookedroundthecircleasifforawayofescape；butaCourtisacruelplace，inwhichtheuglyorhelplessfindscantpity。AdozenvoicesbeggedtheQueentoinsist；and，amidlaughterandloudjests，Bassompierrehastenedtothedoor，andreturnedwithanarmfulofwomen\'sgear，surmountedbyawigandafeatheredhat。
\"IftheQueenwillcommandmademoiselletoretireandputtheseon，\"hesaid，\"Iwillundertaketoshowhersomethingthatwillpleaseher。\"
\"Go！\"saidtheQueen。
Butthegirlhadflungherselfonherkneesbeforeher，and，clingingtoherskirts，burst，intoafloodoftearsandprayers；
whilehersister-in-lawsteppedforwardasiftosecondher，andcriedout，ingreatexcitement，thatherMajestywouldnotbesocruelasto——
\"Hoity，toity！\"saidtheQueen，cuttinghershort，verygrimly。
\"Whatisallthis？Itellthegirltoputonamasquerade——
whichitseemsthatshehasbeenkeepingatsomecottage——andyoutalkasifIwerecuttingoffherhead！Itseemstomethatsheescapesverylightly！Go！go！andsee，you，thatyouarearrayedinfiveminutes，orIwilldealwithyou！\"
\"PerhapsMademoiselledelaForcewillgowithher，andseethatnothingisomitted，\"Bassompierresaidwithmalice。
Thelaughterandapplausewithwhichthisproposalwasreceivedtookmebysurprise；butlaterIlearnedthatthetwoyoungwomenwererivals。\"Yes，yes，\"theQueensaid。\"Go，mademoiselle，andseethatshedoesnotkeepuswaiting。\"
KnowingwhatIdid，IhadbythistimeafairideaofthediscoverywhichBassompierrehadmade；butthemassofcourtiersandladiesroundme，whohadnotthisadvantage，knewnotwhattoexpect——nor，especially，whatpartM。Bassompierrehadinthebusiness——butmademostdivertingsuggestions，themajorityfavouringtheopinionthatMademoisellePaleottihadrepulsedhim，andthatthiswashiswayofavenginghimself。Afewoftheladieseventaxedhimwiththis，andtried，byrandomreproaches，toputhimatleastonhisdefence；but，merrilyrefusingtobeinveigled，hemadetoallthesameanswerthatwhenMademoisellePaleottireturnedtheywouldsee。Thisservedonlytowhetacuriosityalreadykeen，insomuchthatthedoorwaswatchedbyasmanyeyesasifamiraclehadbeenpromised；andevenMM。EpernonandVendome，leavingtheKing\'sside，pressedintothecrowdthattheymightseethebetter。Itooktheopportunityofgoingtohim，and，meetinghiseyesasIdidso，readinthemalookofpainanddistress。AsIadvancedhedrewbackapace，andsignedtometostandbeforehim。
IhadscarcelydonesowhenthedooropenedandMademoisellePaleotti，pale，andsupportedononesidebyherrival，appearedatit；butsowondrouslytransformedbyawig，hat，andredingotethatIscarcelyknewher。Atfirst，asshestood，lookingwithshamedeyesatthestaringcrowd，theimpressionmadewassimplyoneofbewilderment，socompletewasthedisguise。ButBassompierredidnotlongsufferhertostandso。Advancingtoherside，hishatunderhisarm，heofferedhishand。
\"Mademoiselle，\"hesaid，\"willyouobligemebywalkingasfarastheendofthegallerywithme？\"
Shecompliedinvoluntarily，beingalmostunabletostandalone。
Butthetwohadnotproceededhalf-waydownthegallerybeforealowmurmurbegantobeheard，that，growingquicklylouder，culminatedinanastonishedcryof\"MadamedeConde！MadamedeConde！\"
M。Bassompierredroppedherhandwithalowbow，andturnedtotheQueen。\"Madame，\"hesaid，\"this，Ifind，istheladywhomI
sawontheTerracewhenMadamePaleottiwassogoodastoinvitemetowalkontheBois-le-Roiroad。Fortherest，yourMajestymaydrawyourconclusions。\"
ItwaseasytoseethattheQueenhadalreadydrawnthem；but，forthemoment，theunfortunategirlwassavedfromherwrath。
Withalowcry，MademoisellePaleottididthatwhichshewouldhavedonealittlebefore，hadshebeenwise，andswoonedonthefloor。
IturnedtolookattheKing，andfoundhimgone。Hehadwithdrawnunseeninthefirstconfusionofthesurprise；nordidIdareatoncetointerrupthim，orintrudeonthestrangemixtureofregretandrelief，wrathandlonging，thatprobablypossessedhiminthesilenceofhiscloset。ItwasenoughformethattheItalians\'plothadfailed，andthatthedangerofarupturebetweentheKingandQueen，whichthesemiscreantsdesired，andIhadfelttobesogreatandimminent，was，forthistime，overpast。
ThePaleottiswerepunished，beingsenthomeindisgrace，andapenury，which，doubtless，theyfeltmorekeenly。But，alas，theKingcouldnotbanishwiththemallwhohatedhimandFrance；norcouldI，witheveryprecaution，andbytheunsparinguseofallthefacultiesthat，duringascoreofyears，hadbeenattheserviceofmymaster，preservehimforhiscountryandtheworld。
Beforetwomonthshadrunheperishedbyameanhand，leavingtheworldthepoorerbythegreatestandmostillustrioussovereignthateverruledanation。AndmenwholovedneitherFrancenorhimenteredintohislabours，whoseendalsoIhaveseen。
End