ed to have no thought for any but me. To
have the knowledge that his own wife had baulked him brought home to him
in this mocking fashion, to find how little a thing had tripped him that
day, to learn how blindly he had played into the hands of fate, above
all to be exposed at once to his wife's resentment and the ridicule of
the Court--for he could not be sure that I should not the next moment
disclose his name--all so wrought on him that for a moment I thought he
would strike me in the presence.

His rage, indeed, did what I had not meant to do. For the king, catching
sight of his face, and remembering that Madame de Bruhl had elicited the
story, screamed suddenly, 'Haro!' and pointed ruthlessly at him with his
finger. After that I had no need to speak, the story leaping from eye to
eye, and every eye settling on Bruhl, who sought in vain to compose his
features. Madame, who surpassed him, as women commonly do surpass men,
in self-control, was the first to recover herself, and sitting down as
quickly as she had risen, confronted alike her husband and her rivals
with a pale smile.

For a moment curiosity and excitement kept all breathless, the eye
alone busy. Then the king laughed mischievously. 'Come, M. de Bruhl,' he
cried, 'perhaps you will finish the tale for us?' And he threw himself
back in his chair, a sneer on his lips.

'Or why not Madame de Bruhl?' said the duchess, with her head on one
side and her eyes glittering over her fan. 'Madame would, I am sure,
tell it so well.'

But madame only shook her head, smiling always that forced smile. For
Bruhl himself, glaring from face to face like a bull about to charge,
I have never seen a man more out of countenance, or more completely
brought to bay. His discomposure, exposed as he was to the ridicule
of all present, was such that the presence in which he stood scarcely
hindered him from some violent attack; and his eyes, which had wandered
from me at the king's word, presently returning to me again, he so far
forgot himself as to raise his hand furiously, uttering at the same time
a savage oath.

The king cried out angrily, 'Have a care, sir!' But Bruhl only heeded
this so far as to thrust aside those who stood round him and push his
way hurriedly through the circle.

'Arnidieu!' cried the king, when he was gone. 'This is fine conduct! I
have half a mind to send after him and have him put where his hot blood
would cool a little. Or--'

He stopped abruptly,