Page:Ten Years Later.djvu/228

216 The captain of the guards desired his royal highness' physician to be sent for. But before he came Malicorne arrived, saying to the prince, "Monseigneur, the Chevalier de Lorraine is here."

The duke looked at Malicorne, and smiled graciously at him, just as the chevalier entered in fact.

Duc d'Orléans uttered a cry of delight on perceiving the Chevalier de Lorraine. "This is fortunate, indeed," he said. "By what happy chance do I see you? Had you indeed disappeared, as every one assured me?"

"Yes, monseigneur."

"Some caprice?"

"I to venture upon caprices with your highness! The respect "

"Put respect out of the way, for you fail in it every day. I absolve you; but why did you leave me?"

"Because I felt that I was of no use to you."

"Explain yourself."

"Your highness has people about you who are far more amusing than I can ever be. I felt that I was not strong enough to enter into a contest with them, and I therefore withdrew."

"This extreme diffidence shows a want of common sense. Who are those with whom you cannot contend? De Guiche?"

"I name no one."

"This is absurd. Does De Guiche annoy you?"

"I do not say he does; do not force me to speak, however; you know very well that De Guiche is one of our best friends."

"Who is it, then?"

"Excuse me, monseigneur, let us say no more about it." The chevalier knew perfectly well that curiosity is excited in the same way as thirst — by removing what quenches it; or, in others words, by delaying the explanation.

"No, no," said the prince, "I wish to know why you went away."

"In that case, monseigneur, I will tell you; but do not be angry. I remarked that my presence was disagreeable."