time, with
a girl who lives very near this place; and, as this visit is only
to concert measures, I shall make but a very short stay: be so kind,
therefore, as to lend me your cloak, and walk my horse about a little,
until I return; but, above all, do not go far from this place: you see
that I use you freely like a friend; but you know it is upon condition
that you may take the same liberty with me.' I took his cloak, without
waiting for his answer, and he took my horse by the bridle, and followed
me with his eye; but he gained no intelligence by this; for, after
having pretended to go into a house opposite to him, I slipped under the
piazzas to Mademoiselle de l'Orme's, where the door was opened as soon
as I knocked. I was so much muffled up in Brissac's cloak that I was
taken for him: the door was immediately shut, not the least question
asked me; and having none to ask myself I went straight to the lady's
chamber. I found her upon a couch in the most agreeable and genteelest
deshabille imaginable: she never in her life looked so handsome, nor was
so greatly surprised; and, seeing her speechless and confounded: 'What
is the matter, my fair one?' said I, 'methinks this is a headache very
elegantly set off; but your headache, to all appearance, is now gone?'
'Not in the least,' said she, 'I can scarce support it, and you will
oblige me in going away that I may go to bed.' 'As for your going to
bed, to that I have not the least objection,' said I, 'but as for
my going away, that cannot be, my little princess: the Chevalier de
Grammont is no fool; a woman does not dress herself with so much care
for nothing.' 'You will find, however,' said she, 'that it is for
nothing; for you may depend upon it that you shall be no gainer by it.'
'What!' said I, 'after having made me an appointment!' 'Well,' replied
she hastily, 'though I had made you fifty, it still depends upon me,
whether I chose to keep them or not, and you must submit if I do
not.' 'This might do very well,' said I, 'if it was not to give it to
another.' Mademoiselle de l'Orme, as haughty as a woman of the greatest
virtue, and as passionate as one who has the least, was irritated at a
suspicion which gave her more concern than confusion; and seeing that
she was beginning to put herself in a passion: 'Madam,' said I, 'pray do
not talk in so high a strain; I know what perplexes you: you are afraid
lest Brissac should meet me here; but you may make yourself easy on that