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