and if I have understood you, you will take my first words
in ill part. You will be displeased, no doubt, monsieur le
comte, because I have seen —- ”
“Mademoiselle de la Valliere — have you not?”
“It was of her you meant to speak, I know very well,
monsieur,” said Raoul, with inexpressible sweetness.
“And I asked you if you have seen her.”
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“Monsieur, I was ignorant, when I entered the castle, that
Mademoiselle de la Valliere was there; it was only on my
return, after I had performed my mission, that chance
brought us together. I have had the honor of paying my
respects to her.”
“But what do you call the chance that led you into the
presence of Mademoiselle de la Valliere?”
“Mademoiselle de Montalais, monsieur.”
“And who is Mademoiselle de Montalais?”
“A young lady I did not know before, whom I had never seen.
She is maid of honor to Madame.”
“Monsieur le vicomte, I will push my interrogatory no
further, and reproach myself with having carried it so far.
I had desired you to avoid Mademoiselle de la Valliere, and
not to see her without my permission. Oh, I am quite sure
you have told me the truth, and that you took no measures to
approach her. Chance has done me this injury; I do not
accuse you of it. I will be content then, with what I
formerly said to you concerning this young lady. I do not
reproach her with anything — God is my witness! only it is
not my intention or wish that you should frequent her place
of residence. I beg you once more, my dear Raoul, to
understand that.”
It was plain the limpid eyes of Raoul were troubled at this
speech.
“Now, my friend,” said the comte, with his soft smile, and
in his customary tone, “let us talk of other matters. You
are returning, perhaps, to your duty?”
“No, monsieur, I have no duty for to-day, except the
pleasure of remaining with you. The prince kindly appointed
me no other: which was so much in accord with my wish.”
“Is the king well?”
“Perfectly.”
“And monsieur le prince also?”
“As usual, monsieur.”
The comte forgot to inquire after Mazarin; that was an old
habit.
“Well, Raoul, since you are entirely mine, I will give up my
whole day to you. Embrace me — again, again! You are at
home, vicomte! Ah, there is our old Grimaud! Come in,
Grimaud: monsieur le vicomte is desirous of embracing you
likewise.”
The good old man did not require to be twice told; he rushed
in with open arms, Raoul meeting him halfway.
“Now, if you please, we will go into the garden, Raoul. I
will show you the new lodging I have had prepared for you
during your leave of absence, and whilst examining the last
winter’s plantations and two saddle-horses I have just
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acquired, you will give me all the news of our friends in
Paris.”
The comte closed his manuscript, took the young man’s arm,
and went out into the garden with him.
Grimaud looked at Raoul with a melancholy air as the young
man passed out; observing that his head nearly touched the
traverse of the doorway, stroking his white royale, he
slowly murmured:
“How he has grown!”
CHAPTER 5
In which Something will be said of Cropoli
–of Cropoli and of a Great Unknown Painter.
Whilst the Comte de la Fere with Raoul visits the new
buildings he has had erected, and the new horses he has
bought, with the reader’s permission we will lead him back
to the city of Blois, and make him a witness of the
unaccustomed activity which pervades that city.
It was in the hotels that the surprise of the news brought
by Raoul was most sensibly felt.
In fact, the king and the court at Blois, that is to say, a
hundred horsemen, ten carriages, two hundred horses, as many
lackeys as masters — where was this crowd to be housed?
Where were to be lodged all the gentry of the neighborhood,
who would gather in two or three hours after the news had