MadamdeMercoeurreceivedthemwithagreatdealofjoy，andthoughtofnothingbutgivingthemallthepleasuresanddiversionsofthecountry；oneday，astheywerehuntingastag，theDukedeNemourslosthimselfintheforest，anduponenquiringhiswaywastoldhewasnearColomiers；atthatword，Colomiers，withoutfurtherreflection，orsomuchasknowingwhatdesignhewasupon，hegallopedonfullspeedthewaythathadbeenshowedhim；asherodealonghecamebychancetothemade-waysandwalks，whichhejudgedledtothecastle：attheendofthesewalkshefoundapavilion，atthelowerendofwhichwasalargeroomwithtwoclosets，theoneopeningintoaflower-garden，andtheotherlookingintoaspaciouswalkinthepark；heenteredthepavilion，andwouldhavestoppedtoobservethebeautyofit，ifhehadnotseeninthewalkthePrinceandPrincessofCleves，attendedwithanumeroustrainoftheirdomestics。AshedidnotexpecttomeetMonsieurdeClevesthere，whomhehadleftwiththeKing，hethoughtatfirstofhidinghimself；heenteredtheclosetwhichlookedintotheflower-garden，withdesigntogooutthatwaybyadoorwhichopenedtotheforest；butobservingMadamdeClevesandherhusbandweresatdownunderthepavilion，andthattheirattendantsstayedinthepark，andcouldnotcometohimwithoutpassingbytheplacewhereMonsieurandMadamdeCleveswere，hecouldnotdenyhimselfthepleasureofseeingthisPrincess，norresistthecuriosityhehadtohearherconversationwithahusband，whogavehimmorejealousythananyofhisrivals。HeheardMonsieurdeClevessaytohiswife，"ButwhywillyounotreturntoParis？Whatcankeepyouhereinthecountry？Youhaveoflatetakenafancyforsolitude，atwhichIambothsurprisedandconcerned，becauseitdeprivesmeofyourcompany：
　　Ifindtoo，youaremoremelancholythanusual，andIamafraidyouhavesomecauseofgrief。""Ihavenothingtotroublemymind，"answeredshewithanairofconfusion，"butthereissuchabustleatCourt，andsuchamultitudeofpeoplealwaysatyourhouse，thatitisimpossiblebutbothbodyandmindshouldbefatigued，andonecannotbutdesirerepose。""Repose，"
　　answeredhe，"isnotveryproperforoneofyourage；youareathome，andatCourt，insuchamannerascannotoccasionweariness，andIamratherafraidyoudesiretoliveapartfromme。""Youwoulddomegreatwrongtothinkso，"repliedshewithyetmoreconfusion，"butIbegyoutoleavemehere；ifyoucouldstayhere，andwithoutcompany，Ishouldbeverygladofit；nothingwouldbemoreagreeabletomethanyourconversationinthisretirement，providedyouwouldapprovenottohaveaboutyouthatinfinitenumberofpeople，whoinamannerneverleaveyou。""Ah！Madam，"criesMonsieurdeCleves，"bothyourlooksandwordsconvincemethatyouhavereasonstodesiretobealone，whichIdon’tknow；Iconjureyoutotellthemme。"Heurgedheragreatwhiletoinformhim，withoutbeingabletoobligehertoit；andaftershehadexcusedherselfinamannerwhichstillincreasedherhusband’scuriosity，shecontinuedinadeepsilence，withhereyescastdownthen，takingupthediscourseonasudden，andlookinguponhim，"Forcemenot，"
　　saidshe，"toconfessathingtoyouwhichIhavenotthepowertoconfess，thoughIhaveoftendesignedit；rememberonly，thatitisnotprudentawomanofmyyears，andmistressofherownconduct，shouldremainexposedinthemidstofaCourt。""Whatisit，Madam，"criedMonsieurdeCleves，"thatyouleadmetoimagine？Idarenotspeakit，forfearofoffendingyou。"
　　MadamdeClevesmakingnoanswer，hersilenceconfirmedherhusbandinwhathethought；"Yousaynothingtome，"sayshe，"andthattellsmeclearly，thatIamnotmistaken。""Alas，sir，"answeredshe，fallingonherknees，"Iamgoingtomakeaconfessiontoyou，suchasnowomaneveryetmadetoherhusband；
　　buttheinnocenceofmyintentions，andofmyconduct，givemepowertodoit；itistrue，IhavereasonstoabsentmyselffromCourt，andIwouldavoidthedangerspersonsofmyagearesometimesliableto；Ihavenevershownanymarkofweakness，andIcannotapprehendIevershall，ifyouwillpermitmetoretirefromCourt，sincenowIhavenotMadamdeChartrestoassistmeinmyconduct；howeverdangerousastepIamtaking，Itakeitwithpleasuretopreservemyselfworthyofyou；Iaskyouathousandpardons，ifIhavesentimentswhichdispleaseyou，atleastIwillneverdispleaseyoubymyactions；consider，thattodowhatIdo，requiresmorefriendshipandesteemforahusbandthaneverwifehad；directmyconduct，havepityonme，andifyoucanstillloveme。"
　　MonsieurdeCleves，allthewhileshespoke，continuedleaninghisheadonhishand，almostbesidehimself，andneverthoughtofraisingherup。Whenshehaddonespeaking，andhecasthiseyesuponher，andsawheronherkneeswithherfacedrownedintears，inimitablybeautiful，hewasreadytodieforgrief，andtakingherupinhisarms，"Haveyoupityonme，Madam，"sayshe，"forIdeserveit，andpardonme，ifinthefirstmomentsofanafflictionsoviolentasmine，IdonotanswerasIoughttosogenerousaproceedingasyours；Ithinkyoumoreworthyofesteemandadmirationthananywomanthateverwas，butIfindmyselfalsothemostunfortunateofmen：youinspiredmewithpassionthefirstmomentIsawyou，andthatpassionhasneverdecayed；notyourcoldness，norevenenjoymentitself，hasbeenabletoextinguishit；itstillcontinuesinitsfirstforce，andyetithasnotbeeninmypowertokindleinyourbreastanysparkofloveforme，andnowIfindyoufearyouhaveaninclinationforanother；andwhoishe，Madam，thishappymanthatgivesyousuchapprehensions？Howlonghashecharmedyou？
　　Whathashedonetocharmyou？Whatmethodhashetakentogetintoyourheart？WhenIcouldnotgainyouraffectionsmyself，itwassomecomforttometothink，thatnoothercouldgainthem；inthemeantime，anotherhaseffectedwhatIcouldnot，andIhaveatoncethejealousyofahusbandandlover。Butitisimpossibleformetoretainthatofahusbandaftersuchaproceedingonyourpart，whichistoonobleandingenuousnottogivemeanentiresecurity；itevencomfortsmeasalover；thesincerityyouhaveexpressed，andtheconfidenceyouhaveplacedinmeareofinfinitevalue：youhaveesteemenoughformetobelieveIshallnotabusetheconfessionyouhavemadetome；youareintheright，Madam，Iwillnotabuseit，orloveyouthelessforit；youmakemeunhappybythegreatestmarkoffidelityeverwomangaveherhusband；butgoon，Madam，andinformmewhoheiswhomyouwouldavoid。""Ibegyounottoaskme，"
　　repliedshe；"Iamresolvednottotellyou，nordoIthinkitprudenttonamehim。""Fearnot，Madam，"repliedMonsieurdeCleves，"Iknowtheworldtoowelltobeignorantthatawoman’shavingahusbanddoesnothinderpeoplefrombeinginlovewithher；suchloversmaybetheobjectsofone’shatred，butwearenottocomplainofit；onceagain，Madam，IconjureyoutotellmewhatIsomuchdesiretoknow。""Itisinvaintopressme，"repliedshe，"IhavethepowertobesilentinwhatI
　　thinkIoughtnottotell；theconfessionImadetoyouwasnotowingtoanyweakness，anditrequiredmorecouragetodeclaresuchatruththanitwouldhavedonetoconcealit。"
　　TheDukedeNemoursdidnotloseawordofthisconversation，andwhatMadamdeCleveshadsaidgavehimnolessjealousythanherhusband；hewassodesperatelyinlovewithher，thathebelievedalltheworldwassotoo；itistrue，hehadmanyrivals，yethefanciedthemstillmore，andhisthoughtswanderedtofindoutwhoitwasMadamdeClevesmeant：hehadoftenthoughthewasnotdisagreeabletoher，butthegroundsofhisjudgmentonthisoccasionappearedsoslight，thathecouldnotimaginehehadraisedinherheartapassionviolentenoughtoobligehertohaverecoursetosoextraordinaryaremedy；hewassotransported，thathescarceknewwhathesaw，andhecouldnotpardonMonsieurdeClevesfornothavingpressedhiswifeenoughtotellhimthenameofthepersonsheconcealedfromhim。
　　MonsieurdeClevesneverthelessusedhisutmostendeavourstoknowit；andhavingurgedherverymuchonthesubject；"I
　　think，"answeredshe，"thatyououghttobesatisfiedwithmysincerity；askmenomoreaboutit，anddon’tgivemecausetorepentofwhatIhavedone；contentyourselfwiththeassurancewhichIoncemoregiveyou，thatmysentimentshaveneverappearedbyanyofmyactions，andthatnoaddresshathbeenmadetomethatcouldgivemeoffence。""Ah！Madam，"repliedMonsieurdeClevesonasudden，"Icannotbelieveit；Iremembertheconfusionyouwasinwhenyourpicturewaslost；youhavegivenaway，Madam，youhavegivenawaythatpicture，whichwassodeartome，andwhichIhadsojustarightto；youhavenotbeenabletoconcealyourinclinations，youareinlove；itisknown；
　　yourvirtuehashithertosavedyoufromtherest。""Isitpossible，"criedMadamdeCleves，"youcanimaginetherewasanyreserveordisguiseinaconfessionlikemine，whichIwasnowayobligedto？Takemyword，IpurchasedearlytheconfidenceI
　　desireofyou；IconjureyoutobelieveIhavenotgivenawaymypicture；itistrue，Isawittaken，butIwouldnotseemtoseeit，forfearofsubjectingmyselftohearsuchthingsasnoonehasyetdaredtomentiontome。""Howdoyouknowthenthatyouareloved，"saidMonsieurdeCleves？"Whatmark，whatproofofithasbeengivenyou？""Sparemethepain，"repliedshe，"ofrepeatingtoyoucircumstanceswhichIamashamedtohaveobserved，andwhichhaveconvincedmebuttoomuchofmyownweakness。""Youareintheright，Madam，"answeredhe，"Iamunjust；alwaysrefusemewhenIaskyousuchthings，andyetdon’tbeangrywithmeforaskingthem。"
　　Justthenseveraloftheservants，whohadstayedinthewalks，cametoacquaintMonsieurdeCleves，thatagentlemanwasarrivedfromtheKing，withordersforhimtobeatParisthatevening。
　　MonsieurdeCleveswasobligedtogo，andhadonlytimetotellhiswifethathedesiredhertocometoParisthenextday；andthatheconjuredhertobelieve，thathoweverafflictedhewas，hehadatendernessandesteemforher，withwhichsheoughttobesatisfied。
　　Whenhewasgone，andMadamdeClevesbeingalone，consideredwhatshehaddone，shewassofrightenedatthethoughtofit，shecouldhardlybelieveittobetrue。Shefoundshehaddeprivedherselfoftheheartandesteemofherhusband，andwasinvolvedinalabyrinthsheshouldnevergetoutof；sheaskedherselfwhyshehadventuredonsodangerousastep，andperceivedshewasengagedinitalmostwithouthavingdesignedit；thesingularityofsuchaconfession，forwhichshesawnoprecedent，madeherfullysensibleofherdanger。
　　Butontheotherhand，whenshecametothinkthatthisremedy，howeverviolentitwas，wastheonlyeffectualoneshecouldmakeuseofagainstMonsieurdeNemours，shefoundshehadnocausetorepent，ortobelieveshehadventuredtoofar；shepassedthewholenightfullofdoubts，anxietyandfear；butatlastherspiritsgrewcalmagain；sheevenfeltapleasureariseinhermind，fromasenseofhavinggivensuchaproofoffidelitytoahusbandwhodeserveditsowell，whohadsogreatafriendshipandesteemforher，andhadsolatelymanifesteditbythemannerinwhichhereceivedtheconfessionshehadmadehim。
　　InthemeantimeMonsieurdeNemourswasgoneawayfromtheplace，inwhichhehadoverheardaconversationwhichsosensiblyaffectedhim，andwasgotdeepintotheforest；whatMadamdeClevessaidofherpicturehadrevivedhim，sinceitwascertainfromthencethathewasthepersonshehadaninclinationfor；atfirsthegavealeapofjoy，buthisraptureswereatanendassoonashebegantoreflect，thatthesamethingthatconvincedhimhehadtouchedtheheartofMadamdeCleves，oughttoconvincehimalsothatheshouldneverreceiveanymarksofit，andthatitwouldbeimpossibletoengagealadywhohadrecoursetosoextraordinaryaremedy；andyethecouldnotbutbesensiblypleasedtohavereducedhertothatextremity；hethoughtitgloriousforhimtohavegainedtheaffectionsofawomansodifferentfromtherestofhersex；inaword，hethoughthimselfveryhappyandveryunhappyatthesametime。Hewasbenightedintheforest，andwasverymuchputtoittofindhiswayagaintohissister’stheDuchessofMercoeur；hearrivedthereatbreakofday，andwasextremelyatalosswhataccounttogiveofhisabsence，buthemadeoutthematteraswellashecould，andreturnedthatverydaytoPariswiththeViscount。
　　TheDukewassotakenupwithhispassion，andsosurprisedattheconversationhehadheard，thathefellintoanindiscretionverycommon，whichis，tospeakone’sownparticularsentimentsingeneralterms，andtorelateone’sproperadventuresunderborrowednames。Astheyweretravellinghebegantotalkoflove，andexaggeratedthepleasureofbeinginlovewithapersonthatdeservedit；hespokeofthefantasticaleffectsofthispassion，andatlastnotbeingabletocontainwithinhimselftheadmirationhewasinattheactionofMadamdeCleves，herelatedittotheViscountwithoutnamingtheperson，orowninghehadanyshareinit；buthetolditwithsomuchwarmthandsurprise，thattheViscounteasilysuspectedthestoryconcernedhimself。
　　TheViscounturgedhimverymuchtoconfessit，andtoldhimhehadknownagreatwhilethathewasviolentlyinlove，andthatitwasunjustinhimtoshowadistrustofamanwhohadcommittedtohimasecretonwhichhislifedepended。TheDukedeNemourswastoomuchinlovetoownit，andhadalwaysconcealeditfromtheViscount，thoughhevaluedhimthemostofanymanatCourt；heansweredthatoneofhisfriendshadtoldhimthisadventure，andmadehimpromisenottospeakofit；andhealsoconjuredtheViscounttokeepthesecret：theViscountassuredhimhewouldsaynothingofitbutnotwithstandingMonsieurdeNemoursrepentedthathehadtoldhimsomuch。
　　InthemeantimeMonsieurdeCleveswasgonetotheKing，withaheartfullofsorrowandaffliction。Neverhadhusbandsoviolentapassionforhiswife，orsogreatanesteem；whatshehadtoldhimdidnottakeawayhisesteemofher，butmadeitofadifferentnaturefromthathehadhadbefore；whatchieflyemployedhisthoughts，wasadesiretoguesswhoitwasthathadfoundoutthesecrettowinherheart；theDukedeNemourswasthefirstpersonhethoughtofonthisoccasion，asbeingthehandsomestmanatCourt；andtheChevalierdeGuise，andtheMareschaldeSt。Andreoccurrednext，astwopersonswhohadmadeittheirendeavourtogetherlove，andwhowerestillveryassiduousincourtingher，sothathewasfullypersuadeditmustbeoneofthethree。HearrivedattheLouvre，andtheKingcarriedhimintohisclosettoinformhimhehadmadechoiceofhimtoconductMadameintoSpain，andthathebelievednobodycouldacquithimselfbetterofthatcharge，northatanyladywoulddoFrancegreaterhonourthanMadamdeCleves。MonsieurdeClevesreceivedthehonourtheKinghaddonehimbythischoicewiththerespectheought，andheconsidereditalsoaswhatwouldtakehiswifefromCourt，withoutleavingroomtosuspectanychangeinherconduct；buttheembarrassmenthewasunderrequiredaspeedierremedythanthatjourney，whichwastobedeferredagreatwhile，couldafford；heimmediatelywrotetoMadamdeClevestoacquaintherwithwhattheKinghadtoldhim，andgavehertounderstandheabsolutelyexpectedsheshouldreturntoParis。Shereturnedaccordingtohisorders，andwhentheymet，theyfoundoneanotheroverwhelmedwithmelancholy。
　　MonsieurdeClevesspoketoher，asamanofthegreatesthonourintheworld，andthebestdeservingtheconfidenceshehadreposedinhim；"Iamnotalarmedastoyourconduct，"saidhe，"youhavemorestrengthandvirtuethanyouimagine；Iamnotalarmedwithfearsofwhatmayhappenhereafter；whattroublesmeisthatIseeyouhavethosesentimentsforanotherwhichyouwantforme。""Idon’tknowwhattoansweryou，"saidshe，"IdiewithshamewhenIspeakofthissubjectspareme，I
　　conjureyou，suchcruelconversations；regulatemyconduct，andneverletmeseeanybody；thisisallIdesireofyou；buttakeitnotillofme，ifIspeaknomoreofathingwhichmakesmeappearsolittleworthyofyou，andwhichIthinksounbecomingme。""Youareintheright，Madam；"repliedhe，"Iabuseyourgoodnessandyourconfidenceinme；buthavesomecompassionalsoontheconditionyouhavebroughtmeto，andthinkthatwhateveryouhavetoldme，youconcealfrommeaname，whichcreatesinmeacuriosityIcannotlivewithoutsatisfying；andyetIaskyounottosatisfyit；Icannot，however，forbeartellingyou，thatIbelievethemanIamtoenvyistheMareschaldeSt。Andre，theDukedeNemours，ortheChevalierdeGuise。"
　　"Ishallmakeyounoanswer，"sayssheblushing，"norgiveyouanygroundfromwhatIsay，eithertolessenorstrengthenyoursuspicions；butifyouendeavourtoinformyourselfbyobservingme，youwillthrowmeintoaconfusionalltheworldwilltakenoticeof，forGod’ssake，"continuedshe，"allowmeunderpretenceofanindispositiontoseenobody。""No，Madam，"
　　saidhe，"itwillquicklybediscoveredtobeafeignedbusiness；andbesides，Iamunwillingtotrustyoutoanythingbutyourself；myhearttellsmethisisthebestwayIcantake，andmyreasontellsmesoalso，consideringthetemperofmindyouarein，Icannotputagreaterrestraintuponyouthanbyleavingyoutoyourliberty。"
　　MonsieurdeCleveswasnotmistaken；theconfidenceheshowedhehadinhiswife，fortifiedherthemoreagainstMonsieurdeNemours，andmadehertakemoresevereresolutionsthananyrestraintcouldhavebroughtherto。ShewenttowaitontheQueen-DauphinattheLouvreassheusedtodo，butavoidedthepresenceandeyesofMonsieurdeNemourswithsomuchcare，thatshedeprivedhimofalmostallthejoyhehadinthinkingshelovedhim；hesawnothinginheractionsbutwhatseemedtoshowthecontrary；hescarcelyknewifwhathehadheardwasnotadream，soveryimprobableitseemedtohim；theonlythingwhichassuredhimthathewasnotmistaken，wasMadamdeCleves’sextrememelancholy，whichappeared，whateverpainsshetooktohideit；andperhapskindwordsandlookswouldnothaveincreasedtheDukeofNemours’slovesomuchasthissevereconductdid。
　　Oneevening，asMonsieurandMadamdeCleveswereattheQueen’sapartment，itwassaidtherewasareportthattheKingwouldnameanothergreatlordtowaitonMadameintoSpain。MonsieurdeCleveshadhiseyefixedonhiswife，whenitwasfurthersaid，theChevalierdeGuise，ortheMareschaldeSt。Andre，wastheperson；heobservedshewasnotatallmovedateitherofthosenames，northediscourseoftheirgoingalongwithher；
　　thismadehimbelieve，itwasnoteitherofthemwhosepresenceshefeared。Inordertoclearuphissuspicions，hewentintotheQueen’scloset，wheretheKingthenwas，andafterhavingstayedtheresometimecamebacktohiswife，andwhisperedher，thathehadjustheardtheDukedeNemourswasthepersondesignedtogoalongwiththemtoSpain。
　　ThenameoftheDukedeNemours，andthethoughtofbeingexposedtoseehimeveryday，duringaverylongjourney，inherhusband’spresence，soaffectedMadamdeCleves，thatshecouldnotconcealhertrouble：andbeingwillingtogiveotherreasonsforit，"Nochoice，"saysshe，"couldhavebeenmademoredisagreeableforyou；hewillshareallhonourswithyou，andI
　　thinkyououghttoendeavourtogetsomeotherchosen。""Itisnothonour，Madam，"repliedMonsieurdeCleves，"thatmakesyouapprehensiveoftheDukedeNemours’sgoingwithme，theuneasinessyouareinproceedsfromanothercause；andfromthisuneasinessofyoursIlearn，thatwhichIshouldhavediscoveredinanotherwoman，bythejoyshewouldhaveexpressedonsuchanoccasion；butbenotafraid；whatIhavetoldyouisnottrue，itwasaninventionofminetoassuremyselfofathingwhichI
　　alreadybelievedbuttoomuch。"
　　Havingsaidthis，hewentout，beingunwillingtoincrease，byhispresence，theconcernhesawhiswifein。
　　TheDukedeNemourscameinthatinstant，andpresentlyobservedMadamdeCleves’scondition；hecameuptoher，andtoldhersoftly，hehadthatrespectforher，hedurstnotaskwhatitwasmadehermorepensivethanusual。ThevoiceoftheDukedeNemoursbroughthertoherselfagain，andlookingathim，withouthavingheardwhathehadsaidtoher，fullofherownthoughts，andafraidlestherhusbandshouldseehimwithher，"ForGod’ssake，"saysshe，"leavemetomyselfinquiet。""Alas，Madam，"answeredhe，"Idisturbyoutoolittle；whatisityoucancomplainof？Idarenotspeaktoyou，Idarenotlookuponyou，ItremblewheneverIapproachyou。HowhaveIdrawnuponmyselfwhatyouhavesaidtome，andwhydoyoushowmethatIaminpartthecauseofthetroubleIseeyouin？"MadamdeCleveswasverysorrytohavegiventheDukeanopportunityofexplaininghimselfmoreclearlythaneverhehaddonebefore；shelefthimwithoutmakinganyanswer，andwenthomewithhermindmoreagitatedthanever。Herhusbandperceivedherconcernwasincreased，andthatshewasafraidhewouldspeaktoherofwhathadpassed，andfollowedherintohercloset；"Donotshunme，Madam，"sayshe，"Iwillsaynothingtoyouthatshalldispleaseyou；IaskpardonforthesurpriseIgaveyouawhileago；IamsufficientlypunishedbywhatIhavelearntfromit；
　　theDukedeNemourswasofallmenhewhomImostfeared；Iseethedangeryouarein；commandyourselfforyourownsake，and，ifitispossible，formine；Idonotaskthisofyouasahusband，butasamanwhosehappinesswhollydependsonyou，andwholovesyoumoreviolentlyandmoretenderlythanhewhomyourheartpreferstome。"MonsieurdeCleveswasmelteduponspeakingthesewords，andcouldscarcemakeanendofthem；hiswifewassomoved，sheburstintotears，andembracedhimwithatendernessandsorrowthatputhimintoaconditionnotverydifferentfromherown；theycontinuedsilentawhile，andpartedwithouthavingthepowertospeaktooneanother。
　　AllthingswerereadyforthemarriageofMadame，andtheDukeofAlvawasarrivedtoespouseher；hewasreceivedwithalltheceremonyandmagnificencethatcouldbedisplayedonsuchanoccasion；theKingsenttomeethimthePrinceofConde，theCardinalsofLoraineandGuise，theDukesofLoraineandFerrara，d’Aumale，deBouillon，deGuise，anddeNemours；theyhadagreatnumberofgentlemen，andagreatmanypagesinlivery；theKinghimself，attendedwithtwohundredgentlemen，andtheConstableattheirhead，receivedtheDukeofAlvaatthefirstgateoftheLouvre；theDukewouldhavekneeleddown，buttheKingrefusedit，andmadehimwalkbyhissidetotheQueen’sapartment，andtoMadame’s，towhomtheDukeofAlvahadbroughtamagnificentpresentfromhismaster；hewentthencetotheapartmentofMadamMargarettheKing’ssister，tocomplimentheronthepartoftheDukeofSavoy，andtoassureherhewouldarriveinafewdays；
　　thereweregreatassembliesattheLouvre，theshowtheDukeofAlva，andthePrinceofOrangewhoaccompaniedhim，thebeautiesoftheCourt。
　　MadamdeClevescouldnotdispensewithgoingtotheseassemblies，howeverdesirousshewastobeabsent，forfearofdisobligingherhusband，whoabsolutelycommandedhertobethere；andwhatyetmoreinducedhertoit，wastheabsenceoftheDukedeNemours；hewasgonetomeettheDukeofSavoy，andafterthearrivalofthatPrince，hewasobligedtobealmostalwayswithhim，toassisthimineverythingrelatingtotheceremoniesofthenuptials；forthisreasonMadamdeClevesdidnotmeethimsooftenassheusedtodo，whichgavehersomesortofease。
　　TheViscountdeChartreshadnotforgottheconversationhehadhadwiththeDukedeNemours：itstillraninhismindthattheadventuretheDukehadrelatedtohimwashisown；andheobservedhimsocarefullythatitisprobablehewouldhaveunravelledthebusiness，ifthearrivaloftheDukeofAlvaandoftheDukeofSavoyhadnotmadesuchanalterationintheCourt，andfilleditwithsomuchbusiness，asleftnoopportunitiesforadiscoveryofthatnature；thedesirehehadtogetsomeinformationaboutit，orratherthenaturaldispositiononehastorelatealloneknowstothoseoneloves，madehimacquaintMadamdeMartigueswiththeextraordinaryactionofthatpersonwhohadconfessedtoherhusbandthepassionshehadforanother；heassuredhertheDukedeNemourswasthemanwhohadinspiredsoviolentalove，andbeggedherassistanceinobservinghim。MadamdeMartigueswasgladtohearwhattheViscounttoldher，andthecuriosityshehadalwaysobservedintheQueen-DauphinforwhatconcernedtheDukedeNemoursmadeheryetmoredesiroustosearchintothebottomoftheaffair。
　　Afewdaysbeforethatwhichwasfixedfortheceremonyofthemarriage，theQueen-DauphinentertainedatsuppertheKingherfather-in-law，andtheDuchessofValentinois。MadamdeCleves，whohadbeenbusyindressingherself，wenttotheLouvrelaterthanordinary；asshewasgoing，shemetagentlemanthatwascomingfromtheQueen-Dauphintofetchher；assoonassheenteredtheroom，thatPrincess，whowassittinguponherbed，toldheraloud，thatshehadexpectedherwithgreatimpatience。
　　"Ibelieve，Madam，"answeredshe，"thatIamnotobligedtoyouforit，andthatyourimpatiencewascausedbysomethingelse，andnotyourdesiretoseeme。""Youareintheright，"
　　answeredtheQueen-Dauphin，"but，nevertheless，youareobligedtome；forI’lltellyouanadventure，whichIamsureyou’llbegladtoknow。"
　　MadamdeCleveskneeledatherbedside，and，veryluckilyforher，withherfacefromthelight："Youknow，"saidtheQueen，"howdesirouswehavebeentofindoutwhathadcausedsogreatachangeintheDukedeNemours；IbelieveIknowit，anditiswhatwillsurpriseyou；heisdesperatelyinlovewith，andasmuchbelovedby，oneofthefinestladiesoftheCourt。"ItiseasytoimaginethegriefMadamdeClevesfeltuponhearingthesewords，whichshecouldnotapplytoherself，sinceshethoughtnobodyknewanythingofherpassionfortheDuke；"Iseenothingextraordinaryinthat，"repliedshe，"consideringhowyoungandhandsomeamantheDukedeNemoursis。""No，"repliedtheQueen-Dauphin，"thereisnothingextraordinaryinit；butwhatwillsurpriseyouis，thatthislady，whoisinlovewiththeDukedeNemours，hasnevergivenhimanymarkofit，andthatthefearshewasinlestsheshouldnotalwaysbemistressofherpassion，hasmadeherconfessittoherhusband，thathemaytakeherawayfromCourt；anditistheDukedeNemourshimselfwhohasrelatedwhatItellyou。"
　　IfMadamdeCleveswasgrievedatfirstthroughthethoughtthatshehadnoconcerninthisadventure，theQueen-Dauphin’slastwordsthrewherintoanagony，bymakingitcertainshehadtoomuchinit；shecouldnotanswer，butcontinuedleaningherheadonthebed；meanwhiletheQueenwenton，andwassointentonwhatshewassaying，thatshetooknonoticeofherembarrassment。WhenMadamdeCleveswasalittlecometoherself，"Thisstory，Madam，"saysshe，"doesnotseemveryprobabletome，andIshouldbegladtoknowwhotoldityou。"
　　"ItwasMadamdeMartigues，"repliedtheQueen-Dauphin，"andshehearditfromtheViscountdeChartres；youknowtheViscountisinlovewithher；heentrustedthismattertoherasasecret，andhewastolditbytheDukedeNemourshimself；itistruetheDukedidnottellthelady’sname，noracknowledgethathewasthepersonshewasinlovewith，buttheViscountmakesnomannerofquestionofit。"WhentheQueen-Dauphinhaddonespeaking，somebodycameuptothebed；MadamdeCleveswassoplacedthatshecouldnotseewhoitwas，butshewaspresentlyconvinced，whentheQueen-Dauphincriedoutwithanairofgaietyandsurprise，"Hereheishimself，I’llaskhimwhatthereisinit。"MadamdeClevesknewverywellitwastheDukedeNemours，withoutturningherself，asitreallywas；uponwhichshewentuphastilytotheQueen-Dauphin，andtoldhersoftly，thatsheoughttobecautiousofspeakingtohimofthisadventure，whichhehadentrustedtotheViscountdeChartresasasecret，andthatitwasathingwhichmightcreateaquarrelbetweenthem。"Youaretoowise，"saidtheQueen-Dauphinsmiling，andturnedtotheDukedeNemours。Hewasdressedfortheeveningassembly，andtakingupthediscoursewiththatgracewhichwasnaturaltohim，"Ibelieve，Madam，"sayshe，"ImayventuretothinkyouwerespeakingofmeasIcamein，thatyouhadadesigntoaskmesomething，andthatMadamdeClevesisagainstit。""Itistrue，"repliedtheQueen-Dauphin，"butIshallnotbesocomplaisanttoheronthisoccasionasIwasusedtobe；Iwouldknowofyou，whetherastoryIhavebeentoldistrue，andwhetheryouarenotthepersonwhoisinlovewith，andbelovedbyaladyoftheCourt，whoendeavourstoconcealherpassionfromyou，andhasconfessedittoherhusband。"
　　TheconcernandconfusionMadamdeCleveswasinwasaboveallthatcanbeimagined，andifdeathitselfcouldhavedrawnheroutofthiscondition，shewouldhavegladlyembracedit；buttheDukedeNemourswasyetmoreembarrassedifpossible：thediscourseoftheQueen-Dauphin，bywhomhehadreasontobelievehewasnothated，inthepresenceofMadamdeCleves，whowasconfidedinbyhermorethananybodyoftheCourt，andwhoconfidedmoreinher，threwhimintosuchconfusionandextravaganceofthought，thatitwasimpossibleforhimtobemasterofhiscountenance：theconcernhesawMadamdeClevesinthroughhisfault，andthethoughtofhavinggivenherjustcausetohatehim，soshockedhimhecouldnotspeakaword。TheQueen-Dauphin，seeinghowthunderstruckshewas，"Lookuponhim，lookuponhim，"saidshetoMadamdeCleves，"andjudgeifthisadventurebenothisown。"
　　InthemeantimetheDukedeNemours，findingofwhatimportanceitwastohimtoextricatehimselfoutofsodangerousadifficulty，recoveredhimselffromhisfirstsurprise，andbecameatoncemasterofhiswitandlooks。"Iacknowledge，Madam，"
　　saidhe，"itisimpossibletobemoresurprisedandconcernedthanIwasatthetreacheryoftheViscountdeChartres，inrelatinganadventureofafriendofmine，whichIhadinconfidenceimpartedtohim。Iknowhowtoberevengedofhim，"
　　continuedhe，smilingwithacalmair，whichremovedthesuspicionstheQueen-Dauphinhadentertainedofhim："Hehasentrustedmewiththingsofnoverysmallimportance；butIdon’tknow，Madam，whyyoudomethehonourtomakemeapartyinthisaffair。TheViscountcan’tsayIamconcernedinit，forItoldhimthecontrary；Imayverywellbetakentobeamaninlove，butIcannotbelieve，Madam，youwillthinkmeofthenumberofthosewhoarelovedagain。"TheDukewasgladtosayanythingtotheQueen-Dauphin，whichalludedtotheinclinationhehadexpressedforherformerly，inordertodivertherthoughtsfromthesubjectinquestion。Sheimaginedsheunderstoodwellenoughthedriftofwhathesaid，butwithoutmakinganyanswertoit，shecontinuedtorallyhimupontheembarrassmenthewasin。"I
　　wasconcerned，Madam，"saidhe，"fortheinterestofmyfriend，andonaccountofthejustreproacheshemightmakemeforhavingtoldasecretwhichisdearertohimthanlife。Hehasneverthelessentrustedmebutwithonehalfofit，andhasnottoldmethenameofthepersonheloves；allIknowis，thathe’sthemostdeeplyinloveofanymanintheworld，andhasthemostreasontocomplain。""Doyouthinkhehasreasontocomplain，"repliedtheQueen-Dauphin，"whenheislovedagain？""Doyoubelieveheis，Madam，"repliedhe，"andthatapersonwhohadarealpassioncoulddiscoverittoherhusband？
　　Thatlady，doubtless，isnotacquaintedwithlove，andhasmistakenforitaslightacknowledgmentofthefondnessherloverhadforher。Myfriendcan’tflatterhimselfwiththelenthopes；but，unfortunateasheis，hethinkshimselfhappyatleastinhavingmadeherafraidoffallinginlovewithhim，andhewouldnotchangehisconditionforthatofthehappiestloverintheworld。""Yourfriendhasapassionveryeasytobesatisfied，"saidtheQueen-Dauphin，"andIbegintobelieveitisnotyourselfyouarespeakingof；Iamalmost，"continuedshe，"oftheopinionofMadamdeCleves，whomaintainsthatthisstorycannotbetrue。""Idon’treallybelieveitcanbetrue，"answeredMadamdeCleves，whohadbeensilenthitherto；
　　"andthoughitwerepossibletobetrue，howshouldithavebeenknown？Itisveryunlikelythatawoman，capableofsoextraordinaryaresolution，wouldhavetheweaknesstopublishit；andsurelyherhusbandwouldnothavetolditneither，orhemustbeahusbandveryunworthytohavebeendealtwithinsogenerousamanner。"TheDukedeNemours，whoperceivedthesuspicionsMadamdeCleveshadofherhusband，wasgladtoconfirmherinthem，knowinghewasthemostformidablerivalhehadtoovercome。"Jealousy，"saidhe，"andacuriosityperhapsofknowingmorethanawifehasthoughtfittodiscover，maymakeahusbanddoagreatmanyimprudentthings。"
　　MadamdeCleveswasputtothelastproofofherpowerandcourage，andnotbeingabletoenduretheconversationanylonger，shewasgoingtosayshewasnotwell，whenbygoodfortuneforhertheDuchessofValentinoiscamein，andtoldtheQueen-DauphinthattheKingwasjustcoming；theQueen-Dauphinwentintotheclosettodressherself，andtheDukedeNemourscameuptoMadamdeClevesasshewasfollowingher。"Iwouldgivemylife，Madam，"saidhe，"tohaveamoment’sconversationwithyou；butthoughIhaveaworldofimportantthingstosaytoyou，Ithinknothingismoreso，thantoentreatyoutobelieve，thatifIhavesaidanythinginwhichtheQueen-Dauphinmayseemconcerned，Ididitforreasonswhichdonotrelatetoher。"
　　MadamdeClevespretendednottohearhim，andlefthimwithoutgivinghimalook，andwenttowardstheKing，whowasjustcomein。Astherewereabundanceofpeoplethere，shetroduponhergown，andmadeafalsestep，whichservedherasanexcusetogooutofaplaceshehadnotthepowertostayin，andsopretendingtohavereceivedsomehurtshewenthome。
　　MonsieurdeClevescametotheLouvre，andwassurprisednottofindhiswifethere；theytoldhimoftheaccidentthathadbefallenher，andhewentimmediatelyhometoenquireafterher；
　　hefoundherinbed，andperceivedherhurtwasnotconsiderable。
　　Whenhehadbeensometimewithher，hefoundhersoexcessivemelancholythathewassurprisedatit；"Whatailsyou，Madam？"
　　sayshe；"youseemtohavesomeothergriefthanthatwhichyoucomplainof。""IfeelthemostsensiblegriefIcaneverexperience，"answeredshe；"whatusehaveyoumadeofthatextraordinary，orratherfoolishconfidencewhichIplacedinyou？DidnotIdeservetohavemysecretkept？andthoughIhadnotdeservedit，didnotyourowninterestengageyoutoit？
　　Shouldyourcuriositytoknowanameitwasnotreasonableformetotellyouhaveobligedyoutomakeaconfidanttoassistyouinthediscovery？Nothingbutthatcuriositycouldhavemadeyouguiltyofsocruelanindiscretion；theconsequencesofitareasbadastheypossiblycanbe。Thisadventureisknown，andIhavebeentolditbythosewhoarenotawarethatIamprincipallyconcernedinit。""Whatdoyousay，Madam？"answeredhe；
　　"youaccusemeofhavingtoldwhatpassedbetweenyouandme，andyouinformmethatthethingisknown；Idon’tgoabouttoclearmyselffromthischarge，youcan’tthinkmeguiltyofit；
　　withoutdoubtyouhaveappliedtoyourselfwhatwastoldyouofsomeother。""Ah！Sir，"repliedshe，"theworldhasnotanadventurelikemine，thereisnotanotherwomancapableofsuchathing。ThestoryIhaveheardcouldnothavebeeninventedbychance；nobodycouldimagineanylikeit；anactionofthisnatureneverenteredanythoughtsbutmine。TheQueen-Dauphinhasjusttoldmethestory；shehaditfromtheViscountdeChartres，andtheViscountfromtheDukedeNemours。""TheDukedeNemours！"criedMonsieurdeCleves，likeamantransportedanddesperate："How！doestheDukedeNemoursknowthatyouareinlovewithhim，andthatIamacquaintedwithit？""YouarealwaysforsinglingouttheDukedeNemoursratherthananyother，"repliedshe；"IhavetoldyouIwillneveransweryouconcerningyoursuspicions：IamignorantwhethertheDukedeNemoursknowsthepartIhaveinthisadventure，andthatwhichyouhaveascribedtohim；buthetoldittotheViscountdeChartres，andsaidhehaditfromoneofhisfriends，whodidnotnamethelady：thisfriendoftheDukedeNemoursmustneedsbeoneofyours，whomyouentrustedthesecretto，inordertoclearupyoursuspicions。""Canonehaveafriendintheworld，inwhomonewouldreposesuchaconfidence，"repliedMonsieurdeCleves，"andwouldamanclearhissuspicionsatthepriceofinforminganotherwithwhatonewouldwishtoconcealfromoneself？Thinkrather，Madam，towhomyouhavespoken；itismoreprobablethissecretshouldhaveescapedfromyouthanfromme；youwasnotablealonetosupportthetroubleyoufoundyourselfin，andyouendeavouredtocomfortyourselfbycomplainingtosomeconfidantwhohasbetrayedyou。"
　　"Donotwhollydestroyme，"criedshe，"andbenotsohard-heartedastoaccusemeofafaultyouhavecommittedyourself：canyoususpectmeofit？anddoyouthink，becauseI
　　wascapableofinformingyouofthismatter，Iwasthereforecapableofinforminganother？"
　　TheconfessionwhichMadamdeCleveshadmadetoherhusbandwassogreatamarkofhersincerity，andshesostronglydeniedthatshehadentrustedittoanyother，thatMonsieurdeClevesdidnotknowwhattothink。Ontheotherhandhewassurehehadneversaidanythingofit；itwasathingthatcouldnothavebeenguessed，andyetitwasknown；itmustthereforecomefromoneofthemtwo；butwhatgrievedhimmostwastoknowthatthissecretwasinthehandsofsomebodyelse，andthatinallprobabilityitwouldbesoondivulged。
　　MadamdeClevesthoughtmuchafterthesamemanner；shefounditequallyimpossiblethatherhusbandshould，orshouldnothavespokenofit。WhattheDukedeNemourshadsaidtoher，thatcuriositymightmakeahusbanddoindiscreetthings，seemedsojustlyapplicabletoMonsieurdeCleves’scondition，thatshecouldnotthinkhesaiditbychance，andtheprobabilityofthismadeherconcludethatMonsieurdeCleveshadabusedtheconfidenceshehadplacedinhim。Theyweresotakenup，theoneandtheother，withtheirrespectivethoughts，thattheycontinuedsilentagreatwhile；andwhentheybrokefromthissilence，theyonlyrepeatedthesamethingstheyhadalreadysaidveryoften；theirheartsandaffectionsgrewmoreandmoreestrangedfromeachother。
　　Itiseasytoimaginehowtheypassedthenight；MonsieurdeClevescouldnolongersustainthemisfortuneofseeingawomanwhomheadoredinlovewithanother；hegrewquiteheartless，andthoughthehadreasontobesoinanaffairwherehishonourandreputationweresodeeplywounded：heknewnotwhattothinkofhiswife，andwasatalosswhatconductheshouldprescribetoher，orwhatheshouldfollowhimself；hesawnothingonallsidesbutprecipicesandrocks；atlast，afterhavingbeenlongtossedtoandfroinsuspense，heconsideredhewassoontosetoutforSpain，andresolvedtodonothingwhichmightincreasethesuspicionorknowledgeofhisunfortunatecondition。Hewenttohiswife，andtoldherthatwhattheyhadtodowasnottodebatebetweenthemselveswhohaddiscoveredthesecret；buttomakeitappearthatthestorywhichwasgotabroadwasabusinessinwhichshehadnoconcern；thatitdependeduponhertoconvincetheDukedeNemoursandothersofit；thatshehadnothingtodobuttobehaveherselftohimwiththatcoldnessandreservewhichsheoughttohaveforamanwhoprofessedlovetoher；thatbythisproceedingshewouldeasilyremovetheopinionheentertainedofherbeinginlovewithhim；andthereforesheneedednottotroubleherselfastowhathemighthithertohavethought，sinceifforthefutureshediscoverednoweakness，hisformerthoughtswouldvanishofthemselves；andthatespeciallysheoughttofrequenttheLouvreandtheassembliesasusual。
　　Havingsaidthis，MonsieurdeCleveslefthiswifewithoutwaitingheranswer；shethoughtwhathesaidveryreasonable，andtheresentmentshehadagainsttheDukedeNemoursmadeherbelievesheshouldbeabletocomplywithitwithagreatdealofease；butitseemedahardtasktohertoappearatthemarriagewiththatfreedomandtranquillityofspiritastheoccasionrequired。NeverthelessasshewastocarrytheQueen-Dauphin’strain，andhadbeendistinguishedwiththathonourinpreferencetoagreatmanyotherPrincesses，itwasimpossibletoexcuseherselffromitwithoutmakingagreatdealofnoiseandputtingpeopleuponenquiringintothereasonsofit。Sheresolvedthereforetodoherutmost，andemployedtherestofthedayinpreparingherselfforit，andinendeavouringtoforgetthethoughtsthatgavehersomuchuneasiness；andtothispurposeshelockedherselfupinhercloset。OfallhergriefsthemostviolentwasthatshehadreasontocomplainoftheDukedeNemours，andcouldfindnoexcusetourgeinhisfavour；shecouldnotdoubtbuthehadrelatedthisadventuretotheViscountdeChartres；hehadownedithimself，norcouldsheanymoredoubtfromhismannerofspeakingofit，butthatheknewtheadventurerelatedtoher；howcouldsheexcusesogreatanimprudence？andwhatwasbecomeofthatextremediscretionwhichshehadsomuchadmiredinthisPrince？"Hewasdiscreet，"
　　saidshe，"whilehewasunhappy；butthethoughtofbeinghappy，thoughonuncertaingrounds，hasputanendtohisdiscretion；hecouldnotconsiderthathewasbeloved，withoutdesiringtohaveitknown；hesaideverythinghecouldsay；IneveracknowledgeditwasheIwasinlovewith；hesuspectedit，andhasdeclaredhissuspicions；ifhehadbeensureofit，hemighthaveactedashehas；Iwastoblameforthinkinghimamancapableofconcealingwhatflatteredhisvanity；andyetitisforthisman，whomIthoughtsodifferentfromothermen，thatIambecomelikeotherwomen，whowassounlikethembefore。Ihavelosttheheartandesteemofahusbandwhooughttohavebeenmyhappiness；Ishallsoonbelookeduponbyalltheworldasapersonledawaybyanidleandviolentpassion；heforwhomI
　　entertainthispassionisnolongerignorantofit；anditwastoavoidthesemisfortunesthatIhazardedmyquiet，andevenmylife。"Thesesadreflectionswerefollowedbyatorrentoftears；buthowevergreathergriefwas，sheplainlyperceivedsheshouldbeabletosupportit，wereshebutsatisfiedintheDukedeNemours。
　　TheDukewasnolessuneasythanshe；theindiscretionhehadbeenguiltyofintellingwhathedidtotheViscountdeChartres，andthemischievousconsequencesofit，vexedhimtotheheart；hecouldnotrepresenttohimselftheafflictionandsorrowhehadseenMadamdeClevesinwithoutbeingpiercedwithanguish；hewasinconsolableforhavingsaidthingstoheraboutthisadventure，which，thoughgallantenoughinthemselves，seemedonthisoccasiontoogrossandimpolite，sincetheygaveMadamdeClevestounderstandhewasnotignorantthatshewasthewomanwhohadthatviolentpassion，andthathewastheobjectofit。Itwasbeforetheutmostofhiswishestohaveaconversationwithher，butnowhefoundheoughtrathertofearthandesireit。"WhatshouldIsaytoher！"sayshe；"shouldIgotodiscoverfurthertoherwhatIhavemadehertoosensibleofalready！ShallItellhowIknowshelovesme；I，whohaveneverdaredtosayIlovedher？ShallIbeginwithspeakingopenlyofmypassion，thatshemayseemyhopeshaveinspiredmewithboldness？CanIeventhinkofapproachingher，andofgivingherthetroubletoenduremysight？WhichwaycouldI
　　justifymyself？Ihavenoexcuse，IamunworthyoftheleastregardfromMadamdeCleves，andIevendespairofhereverlookinguponme：Ihavegivenherbymyownfaultbettermeansofdefendingherselfagainstmethananyshewassearchingfor，andperhapssearchingfortonopurpose。Ilosebymyimprudencethegloryandhappinessofbeinglovedbythemostbeautifulanddeservingladyintheworld；butifIhadlostthishappiness，withoutinvolvingherinthemostextremegriefandsufferingsatthesametime，Ishouldhavehadsomecomfort；foratthismomentIammoresensibleoftheharmIhavedoneher，thanofthatI
　　havedonemyselfinforfeitingherfavour。"
　　TheDukedeNemourscontinuedturningthesamethoughtsoverandover，andtormentinghimselfagreatwhile；thedesirehehadtospeaktoMadamdeClevescameconstantlyintohismind；hethoughtofthemeanstodoit；hethoughtofwritingtoher；butatlasthefound，consideringthefaulthehadcommittedandthetempershewasin，hisbestwaywastoshowheraprofoundrespectbyhisafflictionandhissilence，toletherseehedurstnotpresenthimselfbeforeher，andtowaitforwhattime，chance，andtheinclinationshehadforhimmightproducetohisadvantage。HeresolvedalsonottoreproachtheViscountdeChartresforhisunfaithfulness，forfearofconfirminghissuspicions。
　　ThepreparationsfortheespousalsandmarriageofMadameonthenextdaysoentirelytookupthethoughtsoftheCourt，thatMadamdeClevesandtheDukedeNemourseasilyconcealedfromthepublictheirgriefanduneasiness。TheQueen-DauphinspokebutslightlytoMadamdeClevesoftheconversationtheyhadhadwiththeDukedeNemours；andMonsieurdeClevesindustriouslyshunnedspeakingtohiswifeofwhatwaspast；sothatshedidnotfindherselfundersomuchembarrassmentasshehadimagined。
　　TheespousalsweresolemnisedattheLouvre；andafterthefeastandballalltheRoyalfamilywenttolieattheBishop’sPalace，accordingtocustom。Inthemorning，theDukeofAlva，whoalwayshadappearedveryplainlydressed，putonahabitofclothofgold，mixedwithflame-colour，yellowandblack，allcoveredoverwithjewels，andworeaclosecrownonhishead。ThePrinceofOrangeveryrichlydressedalso，withhisliveries，andalltheSpaniardswiththeirs，cametoattendtheDukeofAlvafromtheHoteldeVilleroywherehelodged，andsetout，marchingfourbyfour，tilltheycametotheBishop’sPalace。Assoonashewasarrived，theywentinordertotheChurch；theKingledMadame，whoworealsoaclosecrown，hertrainbeingbornebyMademoisellesdeMontpensierandLongueville；theQueencamenext，butwithoutacrown；afterherfollowedtheQueen-Dauphin，MadametheKing’ssister，theDuchessofLoraine，andtheQueenofNavarre，theirtrainsbeinghomebythePrincesses；theQueensandthePrincesseswereallofthemattendedwiththeirmaidsofhonour，whowererichlydressedinthesamecolourwhichtheyworethemselves；sothatitwasknownbythecolouroftheirhabitswhosemaidstheywere：theymountedtheplacethatwaspreparedintheChurch，andtherethemarriageceremonieswereperformed；theyreturnedafterwardstodineattheBishop’sPalace，andwentfromthenceaboutfiveo’clocktothePalacewherethefeastwas，andwheretheParliament，theSovereignCourts，andtheCorporationoftheCityweredesiredtoassist。
　　TheKing，theQueens，thePrincesandPrincessessatatthemarbletableinthegreathallofthePalace；theDukeofAlvasatnearthenewQueenofSpain，belowthestepsofthemarbletable，andattheKing’srighthandwasatablefortheambassadors，thearchbishops，andtheKnightsoftheOrder，andontheothersideonefortheParliament。
　　TheDukeofGuise，dressedinarobeofclothofgoldfrieze，servedtheKingasGreatChamberlain；thePrinceofCondeasStewardoftheHousehold，andtheDukedeNemoursasCup-bearer。
　　Afterthetableswereremovedtheballbegan，andwasinterruptedbyinterludesandagreatdealofextraordinarymachinery；thentheballwasresumed，andaftermidnighttheKingandthewholeCourtreturnedtotheLouvre。HoweverfullofgriefMadamdeCleveswas，sheappearedintheeyesofallbeholders，andparticularlyinthoseoftheDukedeNemours，incomparablybeautiful。Hedurstnotspeaktoher，thoughthehurryoftheceremonygavehimfrequentopportunities；butheexpressedsomuchsorrowandsorespectfulafearofapproachingher，thatshenolongerthoughthimtoblame，thoughhehadsaidnothinginhisjustification；hisconductwasthesamethefollowingdays，andwroughtthesameeffectontheheartofMadamdeCleves。