finding of what importance it was
to him to extricate himself out of so dangerous a difficulty, recovered
himself from his first surprise, and became at once master of his wit
and looks. "I acknowledge, Madam," said he, "it is impossible to be
more surprised and concerned than I was at the treachery of the
Viscount de Chartres, in relating an adventure of a friend of mine,
which I had in confidence imparted to him. I know how to be revenged
of him," continued he, smiling with a calm air, which removed the
suspicions the Queen-Dauphin had entertained of him: "He has entrusted
me with things of no very small importance; but I don't know, Madam,
why you do me the honour to make me a party in this affair. The
Viscount can't say I am concerned in it, for I told him the contrary; I
may very well be taken to be a man in love, but I cannot believe,
Madam, you will think me of the number of those who are loved again."
The Duke was glad to say anything to the Queen-Dauphin, which alluded
to the inclination he had expressed for her formerly, in order to
divert her thoughts from the subject in question. She imagined she
understood well enough the drift of what he said, but without making
any answer to it, she continued to rally him upon the embarrassment he
was in. "I was concerned, Madam," said he, "for the interest of my
friend, and on account of the just reproaches he might make me for
having told a secret which is dearer to him than life. He has
nevertheless entrusted me but with one half of it, and has not told me
the name of the person he loves; all I know is, that he's the most
deeply in love of any man in the world, and has the most reason to
complain." "Do you think he has reason to complain," replied the
Queen-Dauphin, "when he is loved again?" "Do you believe he is,
Madam," replied he, "and that a person who had a real passion could
discover it to her husband? That lady, doubtless, is not acquainted
with love, and has mistaken for it a slight acknowledgment of the
fondness her lover had for her. My friend can't flatter himself with
the lent hopes; but, unfortunate as he is, he thinks himself happy at
least in having made her afraid of falling in love with him, and he
would not change his condition for that of the happiest lover in the
world." "Your friend has a passion very easy to be satisfied," said
the Queen-Dauphin, "and I begin to believe it is not yourself you are
speaking of; I am almost," continued she,