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Part III. be killed in single fight; and he made no doubt but the prediction would be now accomplished. The king of Spain, who was then at Brussels, being advertised of this accident, sent his physician, who was a man of great reputation; but that physician judged the king past hope.

A court so divided, and filled with so many opposite interests, could not but be in great agitation on the breaking out of so grand an event; nevertheless, all things were kept quiet, and nothing was seen but a general anxiety for the king's health: the queens, the princes and princesses hardly ever went out of his anti-chamber.

Madam de Cleves, knowing that she was obliged to be there, that she should see there the duke de Nemours, and that she could not conceal from her husband the disorder she should be in upon seeing him; and being sensible also that the mere presence of that prince would justify him in her eyes, and destroy all her resolutions, thought proper to feign herself ill. The court was too busy to give attention to her conduct, or to enquire whether her illness was real or counterfeit; her husband alone was able to come at the truth of the matter; but she was not at all averse to his knowing it. Thus she continued at home, altogether heedless of the great change that was soon expected, and full of her own thoughts, which she was at full liberty to give herself up to. Every one went to court to enquire after the king's health, and monsieur de Cleves came home at certain times to give her an account of it; he behaved himself to her in the same manner he used to do, except when they were alone; and then there appeared something of coldness and reserve: he had not spoke to her again concerning what had past, nor had she power, nor did she think it convenient, to resume the discourse.

The duke de Nemours, who had waited for an opportunity of speaking to madam de Cleves, was surprized and afflicted not to have had so much as the pleasure to