Page:Ten Years Later.djvu/293

Rh almond-trees, with all the other artificial attributes of his divinity. A quarter of an hour afterward he had returned to the theater; but it will be readily believed that it was only a powerful effort of reason over his great excitement that had enabled him to return; or perhaps, for the heart is so constituted, he found it impossible even to remain much longer separated from the presence of one who had broken that heart. Madame was finishing her figure. She saw, but did not look at De Guiche, who, irritated and furious, turned his back upon her as she passed him, escorted by her nymphs, and followed by a hundred flatterers. During this time, at the other end of the theater, near the lake, a young woman was seated, with her eyes fixed upon one of the windows of the theater, from which were issuing streams of light, the window in question being that of the royal box. As De Guiche quitted the theater for the purpose of getting into the fresh air he so much needed, he passed close to this figure and saluted her. When she perceived the young man she rose, like a woman surprised in the midst of ideas she was desirous of concealing from herself. De Guiche stopped as he recognized her, and said hurriedly:

"Good-evening, Mademoiselle de la Valliere; I am indeed fortunate in meeting you."

''I also, Monsieur de Guiche, am glad of this accidental meeting," said the young girl, as she was about to withdraw.

"Pray do not leave me," said De Guiche, stretching out his hand toward her, "for you would be contradicting the kind words you have just pronounced. Remain, I implore you; the evening is most lovely. You wish to escape from this tumult, and prefer your own society. Well, I can understand it; all women who are possessed of any feeling do, and you never find them dull or lonely when removed from the giddy vortex of these exciting amusements. Oh, heavens!" he exclaimed suddenly.

"What is the matter. Monsieur le Comte?" inquired La Valliere, with some anxiety. "You seem agitated."

"I? oh, no!"

"Will you allow me. Monsieur de Guiche, to return you the thanks I had proposed to offer you on the very first opportunity. It is to your recommendation, I am aware, that I owe my admission among the number of madame's maids of honor."

"Indeed! Ah! I remember now, and I congratulate myself. Do you love any one?"