“Lame,” repeated the prince, “and Madame to have her
constantly before her eyes? Most certainly not; it may be
dangerous for her when in an interesting condition.”
The Chevalier de Lorraine burst out laughing.
“Chevalier,” said Guiche, “your conduct is ungenerous; while
I am soliciting a favor, you do me all the mischief you
can.”
“Forgive me, comte,” said the Chevalier de Lorraine,
somewhat uneasy at the tone in which Guiche had made his
remark, “but I had no intention of doing so, and I begin to
believe that I have mistaken one young lady for another.”
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“There is no doubt of it, monsieur; and I do not hesitate to
declare that such is the case.”
“Do you attach much importance to it, Guiche?” inquired the
prince.
“I do, my lord.”
“Well, you shall have it, but ask me for no more
appointments, for there are none to give away.”
“Ah!” exclaimed the chevalier, “midday already, that is the
hour fixed for the departure.”
“You dismiss me, monsieur?” inquired Guiche.
“Really, count, you treat me very ill to-day,” replied the
chevalier.
“For heaven’s sake, count, for heaven’s sake, chevalier,”
said Monsieur, “do you not see how you are distressing me?”
“Your highness’s signature?” said Guiche.
“Take a blank appointment from that drawer, and give it to
me.” Guiche handed the prince the document indicated, and at
the same time presented him with a pen already dipped in
ink; whereupon the prince signed. “Here,” he said, returning
him the appointment, “but I give it on one condition.”
“Name it.”
“That you make friends with the chevalier.”
“Willingly,” said Guiche. And he held out his hand to the
chevalier with an indifference amounting to contempt.
“Adieu, count,” said the chevalier, without seeming in any
way to have noticed the count’s slight; “adieu, and bring us
back a princess who will not talk with her own portrait too
much.”
“Yes, set off and lose no time. By the by, who accompany
you?”
“Bragelonne and De Wardes.”
“Both excellent and fearless companions.”
“Too fearless,” said the chevalier; “endeavor to bring them
both back, count.”
“A bad heart, bad!” murmured De Guiche; “he scents mischief
everywhere, and sooner than anything else.” And taking leave
of the prince, he quitted the apartment. As soon as he
reached the vestibule, he waved in the air the paper which
the prince had signed. Malicorne hurried forward, and
received it, trembling with delight. When, however, he held
it in his hand Guiche observed that he still awaited
something further.
“Patience, monsieur,” he said; “the Chevalier de Lorraine
was there, and I feared an utter failure if I asked too much
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at once. Wait until I return. Adieu.”
“Adieu, monsieur le comte; a thousand thanks,” said
Malicorne.
“Send Manicamp to me. By the way, monsieur, is it true that
Mlle. de la Valliere is lame?” As he said this a horse drew
up behind him, and on turning round he noticed that
Bragelonne, who had just at that moment entered the
courtyard, turned suddenly pale. The poor lover had heard
the remark, which, however, was not the case with Malicorne,
for he was already beyond the reach of the count’s voice.
“Why is Louise’s name spoken of here?” said Raoul to
himself; “oh! let not De Wardes, who stands smiling yonder,
even say a word about her in my presence.”
“Now, gentlemen,” exclaimed the Comte de Guiche, “prepare to
start.”
At this moment the prince, who had completed his toilette,
appeared at the window, and was immediately saluted by the
acclamations of all who composed the escort, and ten minutes
afterwards, banners, scarfs, and feathers were fluttering
and waving in the air, as the cavalcade galloped away.
CHAPTER 83
Havre
This brilliant and animated company, the members of which
were inspired by various feelings, arrived at Havre four
days after their departure from Paris. It was about five
o’clock in the afternoon, and no intelligence had yet been
received of Madame. They were soon engaged in quest of
apartments; but the greatest confusion immediately ensued
among the masters, and violent quarrels among their
attendants. In the midst of this disorder, the Comte de