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Part III. prince of Conde as steward of the household, and the duke de Nemours as cup-bearer. After the tables were removed the ball began, and was interrupted by interludes and a great deal of extraordinary machinery; then the ball was resumed, and after midnight the king and the whole court returned to the Louvre. However full of grief madam de Cleves was, she appeared in the eyes of all beholders, and particularly in those of the duke de Nemours, incomparably beautiful. He durst not speak to her, though the hurry of the ceremony gave him frequent opportunities; but he expressed so much sorrow and so respectful a fear of approaching her, that she no longer thought him to blame, though he had said nothing in his justification; his conduct was the same the following days, and wrought the same effect on the heart of madam de Cleves.

At last, the day of the tournament came; the queens were placed in the galleries that were prepared for them; the four champions appeared at the end of the lists with a number of horses and liveries, the most magnificent sight that ever was seen in France.

The king's colours were white and black, which he always wore in honour of the duchess of Valentinois, who was a widow. The duke of Ferrara and his retinue had yellow and red; monsieur de Guise's carnation and white. It was not known at first for what reason he wore those colours; but it was soon remembered that they were the colours of a beautiful young lady whom he had been in love with while she was a maid, and whom he yet loved, though he durst not shew it. The duke de Nemours had yellow and black; why he had them could not be found out: madam de Cleves only knew the reason of it; she remembered to have said before him she loved yellow, and that she was sorry her complexion did not suit that colour. As for the duke, he thought he might take that colour without any indiscretion, since, not being worn by madam de Cleves it could not be suspected to be her's.