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Part III. to you, I dare not look upon you, I tremble whenever I approach you. How have I drawn upon myself what you have said to me? and why do you shew me, that I am in part the cause of the trouble I see you in? Madam de Cleves was very sorry to have given the duke an opportunity of explaining himself more clearly than ever he had done before; she left him without making any answer, and went home with her mind more agitated than ever. Her husband perceived her concern was increased, and that she was afraid he would speak to her of what had past, and followed her into her closet: Do not shun me, madam, says he, I will say nothing to you that shall displease you; I ask pardon for the surprise I gave you a while ago; I am sufficiently punished by what I have learnt from it; the duke de Nemours was of all men he whom I most feared; I see the danger you are in; command yourself for your own sake, and, if it is possible, for mine; I do not ask this of you as a husband, but as a man whose happiness wholly depends on you, and who loves you more violently and more tenderly than he whom your heart prefers to me. Monsieur de Cleves was melted upon speaking these words, and could scarce make an end of them; his wife was so moved, she burst into tears, and embraced him with a tenderness and sorrow that put him into a condition not very different from her own. They continued silent a while, and parted without having the power to speak to one another.

All things were ready for the marriage of Madame, and the duke of Alva was arrived to espouse her; he was received with all the ceremony and magnificence that could be display'd on such an occasion; the king sent to meet him the prince of Conde, the cardinals of Lorain and Guise, the dukes of Lorain and Ferrara, d'Aumale, de Bouillon, de Guise, and de Nemours; they had a great number of gentlemen, and a great many pages in livery; the king himself, attended with