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Rh 346 LOFISE DE LA TALLIERE. and holding up her head pertly in the air, preceded him to madame's apartments, where he was at once introduced. "Well," he thought, "this day will pass away without my learning anything. De Guiche showed too much considera- tion for my feelings; he had, no doubt, come to an under- standing with madame, and both of them, by a friendly plot, agreed to postpone the solution of the problem. Why have I not a determined, inveterate enemy? — that serpent, De Wardes, for instance; that he would bite, is very likely; but I should not hesitate any more. To hesitate, to doubt — better by far to die." The next moment Eaoul was in madame's presence. Henriette, more charming than ever, and half lying, half reclining in her armchair, her little feet upon an embroid- ered velvet cushion; she was playing with a little kitten with long, silky fur, which was biting her fingers and hang- ing by the lace of her collar. Madame seemed plunged in deep thought, so deep, in- deed, that it required both Montalais' and Eaoul's voices to disturb her from her reverie. "Your highness sent for me?" repeated Eaoul. Madame shook her head, as if she were just awakening, and then said: "Good-morning, Monsieur de Bragelonne; yes, I sent for you; so you have returned from England?" "Yes, madame, and am at your royal highness' com- mands." "Thank you; leave us, Montalais;" and the latter imme- diately left the room. "You have a few minutes to give me. Monsieur de Brage- lonne, have you not?" "My very life is at your royal highness' disposal," Eaoul returned, with respect, guessing that there was something serious in all these outward courtesies of madame; nor was he displeased, indeed, to observe the seriousness of her manner, feeling persuaded that there was some sort of affinity between madame's sentiments and his own. In fact, every one at court, of any perception at all, knew per- fectly well the capricious fancy and absurd despotism of the princess' singular character. Madame had been flattered beyond all bounds by the king's attentions; she had made herself talked about; she had inspired the queen with that mortal jealousy which is the gnawing worm at the root of every woman's happiness; madame, in a word, in her at- tempts to cure a wounded pride, had found that her heart