Page:ThePrincessofCleves.djvu/71

Part II. head-dress of that which had been just brought in; the painter in obedience to her, took the picture out of the case in which it was, and having mended it, laid it again on the table.

The duke de Nemours had long wished to have a picture of madam de Cleves; when he saw that which monsieur de Cleves had, he could not resist the temptation of stealing it from a husband, who, he believed, was tenderly loved; and he thought that among so many persons as were in the same room he should be no more liable to suspicion than another.

The queen-dauphin was sitting on the bed, and whispering to madam de Cleves, who was standing before her. Madam de Cleves, through one of the curtains that was but half-drawn, spied the duke de Nemours with his back to the table, that stood at the bed's feet, and perceived that without turning his face he took something very dextrously from off the table; she presently guessed it was her picture, and was in such concern about it, that the queen-dauphin observed she did not attend to what she said, and asked her aloud what it was she looked at. At those words, the duke de Nemours turned about, and met full the eyes of madam de Cleves that were still fixed upon him; he thought it not impossible but she might have seen what he had done.

Madam de Cleves was not a little perplexed; it was reasonable to demand her picture of him; but to demand it publicly was to discover to the whole world the sentiments which the duke had for her, and to demand it in private would be to engage him to speak of his love: she judged after all it was better to let him keep it, and she was glad to grant him a favour which she could do without his knowing that she granted it. The duke de Nemours, who observed her perplexity, and partly guessed the cause of it, came up, and told her softly, If you have seen what I have ventured to do, be so good, madam, as to let me believe you are