concealed it from me with as much care as from the rest of the
world; I had not the least suspicion of it. Madam de Tournon as yet
appeared inconsolable for the death of her husband, and lived in
retirement with great austerity. Sancerre's sister was in a manner the
only person she saw, and it was at her lodgings he became in love with
her.

"One evening there was to be play at the Louvre, and the actors only
waited for the coming of the King and Madam de Valentinois, when word
was brought that she was indisposed, and that the King would not come.
It was easy to see that the Duchess's indisposition was nothing but
some quarrel with the King; everyone knew the jealousy he had had of
the Mareschal de Brisac during his continuance at Court, but he had
been set out some days on his return to Piemont, and one could not
imagine what was the occasion of this falling out.

"While I was speaking of this to Sancerre, Monsieur d'Anville came into
the room, and told me in a whisper, that the King was so exasperated
and so afflicted at the same time, that one would pity him; that upon a
late reconciliation between him and the Duchess, after the quarrel they
had had about the Mareschal de Brisac, he had given her a ring, and
desired her to wear it; and that as she was dressing herself to come to
the play, he had missed it on her finger, and asked what was become of
it; upon which she seemed in surprise that she had it not, and called
to her women for it, who unfortunately, or for want of being better
instructed, made answer they had not seen it four or five days.

"It was," continued Monsieur d'Anville, "precisely so long, since the
Mareschal de Brisac left the Court, and the King made no doubt but she
gave him the ring when she took her leave of him. The thought of this
awaked in so lively a manner that jealousy which was not yet
extinguished, that he fell into uncommon transports, and loaded her
with a thousand reproaches; he is just gone into her apartment again in
great concern, but whether the reason is a more confirmed opinion that
the Duchess had made a sacrifice of the ring, or for fear of having
disobliged her by his anger, I can't tell.

"As soon as Monsieur d'Anville had told me this news, I acquainted
Sancerre with it; I told it him as a secret newly entrusted with me,
and charged him to say nothing of it.

"The next day I went early in the morning to my sister-in-law's, and
found Madam de Tournon at her bedside, w