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Part III. was the man who had inspired so violent a love, and begged her assistance in observing him. Madam de Martigues was glad to hear what the viscount told her; and the curiosity she had always observed in the queen-dauphin for what concerned the duke de Nemours, made her yet more desirous to search into the bottom of the affair.

A few days before that which was fixed for the ceremony of the marriage, the queen-dauphin entertained at supper the king her father-in-law, and the duchess of Valentinois. Madam de Cleves, who had been busy in dressing herself, went to the Louvre later than ordinary; as she was going, she met a gentleman, that was coming from the queen-dauphin to fetch her; as soon as she entered the room, that princess, who was sitting upon her bed, told her aloud, that she had expected her with great impatience.—I believe, madam, answered she, that I am not obliged to you for it, and that your impatience was caused by something else, and not your desire to see me.—You are in the right, answered the queen-dauphin; but, nevertheless, you are obliged to me; for I will tell you an adventure, which I am sure you will be glad to know.

Madam de Cleves kneeled at her bed-side, and, very luckily for her, with her face from the light: You know, said the queen, how desirous we have been to find out what had caused so great a change in the duke de Nemours; I believe I know it, and it is what will surprise you; he is desperately in love with, and as much beloved by, one of the finest ladies of the court. It is easy to imagine the grief madam de Cleves felt upon hearing these words, which she could not apply to herself, since she thought nobody knew anything of her passion for the duke; I see nothing extraordinary in that, replied she, considering how young and handsome a man the duke de Nemours is.—No, replied the queen-dauphin, there is nothing extraordinary in it; but what will surprise you is, that this lady, who is in