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 utmost grief; he looked upon it as ominous for him, that fortune had destined the duke of Nemours to be in love with the princess of Cleves. And whether there appeared in reality any concern in the princess's face, or whether the chevalier's jealousy only led him to suspect it, he believed that she was touched with the sight of the duke; and could not forbear telling her, that monsieur de Nemours was very happy to commence an acquaintance with her by an incident which had something very gallant and extraordinary in it.

Madam de Cleves returned home with her thoughts full of what had passed at the ball; and though it was very late, she went into her mother's room to give her a relation of it; in doing which she praised the duke of Nemours with a certain air, that gave madam de Chartres the same suspicion the chevalier de Guise had entertained before.

The day following, the ceremony of the duke of Loraine's marriage was performed; and there the princess of Cleves observed so inimitable a grace, and so fine a mien in the duke of Nemours, that she was yet more surprised.

She afterwards saw him at the court of the queen-dauphin; she saw him play at tennis with the king; she saw him run the ring; she heard him discourse; still she found he far excelled everybody else, and drew the attention of the company to him wherever he was; in short, the gracefulness of his person, and the agreeableness of his wit soon made a considerable impression on her heart.

The duke de Nemours had an inclination no less violent for her; and hence flowed all that gaiety and sweetness of behaviour, which the first desires of pleasing ordinarily inspire a man with: hence he became more amiable than ever he was before; so that by often seeing one another, and by seeing in each other whatever was most accomplished at court, it could not be but