Page:Ten Years Later.djvu/200

Rh "It is not the same thing for me. In approaching nearer to Vincennes, marquise, my ardent aspirations approach nearer to that object toward which they have for some days past been directed." The marquise suddenly raised her head. "Are you surprised, then, that I am still thinking of St. Mandé?"

"Of St. Mandé!" exclaimed Mme. de Bellière; and the looks of both women met each other like two swords restless at the first time their blades were crossed.

"You, so proud, too!" said the marquise disdainfully.

"I, so proud!" replied Mme. Vanel. "Such is my nature. I do not forgive neglect — I cannot endure infidelity. When I leave any one who weeps at my abandonment I feel induced still to love him; but when others forsake me and laugh at their infidelity I love distractedly."

Mme. de Bellière could not restrain an involuntary movement.

"She is jealous," said Marguerite to herself.

"Then," continued the marquise, "you are quite enamored of the Duke of Buckingham — I mean, of Monsieur Fouquet?" Eliza felt the allusion, and all her blood seemed to have flowed toward her heart. "And you wished to go to Vincennes — to St. Mandé even?"

"I hardly know what I wished; you would have advised me, perhaps."

"In what respect?"

"You have often done so."

"Most certainly I should not have done so in the present instance, for I do not forgive as you do. I am less loving, perhaps; but when my heart has been once wounded, it remains so always."

"But Monsieur Fouquet has not wounded you," said Marquise Vanel, with the most perfect simplicity.

"You perfectly understand what I mean. Monsieur Fouquet has not wounded me; I do not know him either from any obligation or any injury received at his hands, but you have reason to complain of him. You are my friend, and I am afraid I should not advise you as you would like."

"Ah! you are prejudging the case."

"The sighs you spoke of just now are more than indications."

"You overwhelm me," said the young woman suddenly, as if collecting her whole strength, like a wrestler preparing for a last struggle; "you take only my evil dispositions