Page:Francesca Carrara 3.pdf/342

Rh During the confusion of the card-table settlement, Madame de Soissons approached De Joinville, and said, "Was it not your page whom I saw risking his neck for a crow's nest in the avenue, the other morning?"

"I dare say it was," replied the Cavalier; "I have known him risk it for a less matter."

"What could he do in a lady's service?"

"Oh! Louis is dévoué au service des dames. You might send him to the end of the world with a smile."

"I do not mean to send him quite so far as that. But, can he be secret?"

"He is my page," answered De Joinville, significantly.

"My question was rather unnecessary. I will ask one more to the point. Will you lend him to me a couple of hours hence, and let his coming to my chamber he enveloped in mystery as profound as M. de Liancour's meaning?"

"He shall be equally undiscovered; Louis would pass a sunbeam and cast no shadow. Two hours hence he shall be with you."

"And as a reward you shall be present at the dénouement of my romance. There was already a lady, a knight, and a confidante,—there lacked nothing but a page."