nvinced that the King might put a bad
interpretation on his absence and he changed his mind. There, hark!
people are gazing and shouting yonder; it must be that he is coming by
the Porte Montmartre."

"You are right; 'tis he; I recognize him. How elegant he looks to-day,"
said Henriette. "For some time he has taken particular pains with his
appearance; he must be in love. See how nice it is to be a prince of the
blood, he gallops over every one, they all draw on one side."

"Yes," said Marguerite, laughing, "he will ride over us. For Heaven's
sake draw your attendants to one side, duchess, for there is one of them
who will be killed if he does not give way."

"It is my hero!" cried the duchess; "look, only look!"

Coconnas had left his place to approach the Duchesse de Nevers, but just
as his horse was crossing the kind of exterior boulevard which separates
the street from the Faubourg Saint Denis, a cavalier of the Duc
d'Alencon's suite, trying in vain to rein in his excited horse, dashed
full against Coconnas. Coconnas, shaken by the collision, reeled on his
colossal mount, his hat nearly fell off; he put it on more firmly and
turned round furiously.

"Heavens!" said Marguerite, in a low tone, to her friend, "Monsieur de
la Mole!"

"That handsome, pale young man?" exclaimed the duchess, unable to
repress her first impression.

"Yes, yes; the very one who nearly upset your Piedmontese."

"Oh," said the duchess, "something terrible will happen! they look at
each other--recollect each other!"

Coconnas had indeed recognized La Mole, and in his surprise dropped his
bridle, for he believed he had killed his old companion, or at least put
him _hors de combat_ for some time. La Mole had also recognized
Coconnas, and he felt a fire mount up into his face. For some seconds,
which sufficed for the expression of all the sentiments these two men
harbored, they gazed at each other in a way which made the two women
shudder.

After which, La Mole, having looked about him, and doubtless seeing that
the place was ill chosen for an explanation, spurred his horse and
rejoined the Duc d'Alencon. Coconnas remained stationary for a moment,
twisting his mustache until the point almost entered his eye; then
seeing La Mole dash off without a word, he did the same.

"Ah, ha!" said Marguerite, with pain and contempt, "so I was not
mistaken--it is really too much;" and she bit her lips till the blood
came.

"He is very handsome,"