s syllogism: for which reason, interposing
as soon as they began to raise their voices, he told them it was
ridiculous to quarrel about an affair in itself so trivial, and
treated the matter in a serious light, that it might make the greater
impression. Thus supper terminated peaceably, owing to the care he took
to suppress all disputes, and to substitute plenty of wine in their
stead.

The next day Matta went to the chase, the Chevalier de Grammont to
the bagnio, and the Marquis to his country house. While the latter was
making the necessary preparations for his guests, not forgetting the
music, and Matta pursuing his game to get an appetite, the Chevalier was
meditating on the execution of his project.

As soon as he had regulated his plan of operations in his own mind, he
privately sent anonymous intelligence to the officer of the guard at the
palace that the Marquis de Senantes had had some words with Monsieur de
Matta the preceding night at supper; that the one had gone out in the
morning; and the other could not be found in the city.

Madame Royale, alarmed at this advice, immediately sent for the
Chevalier de Grammont: he appeared surprised when her highness mentioned
the affair: he confessed, indeed, that some high words had passed
between them, but that he did not believe either of them would have
remembered them the next day. He said that if no mischief had yet taken
place, the best way would be to secure them both until the morning, and
that if they could be found, he would undertake to reconcile them, and
to obliterate all grievances: in this there was no great difficulty.
On inquiry at the Marquis's they were informed that he was gone to his
country-house: there certainly he was, and there they found him; the
officer put him under an arrest, without assigning any reason for so
doing, and left him in very great surprise.

Immediately upon Matta's return from hunting, her Royal Highness sent
the same officer to desire him to give her his word that he would not
stir out that evening. This compliment very much surprised him, more
particularly as no reason was assigned for it. He was expected at a good
entertainment he was dying with hunger, and nothing appeared to him more
unreasonable than to oblige him to stay at home, in a situation like the
present; but he had given his word, and not knowing to what this might
tend, his only resource was to send for his friend; but his friend did
not come to him until h