240 LOriSE DE LA VALLIEEE. appeared from one of the pavilions on the terrace, and ap- proaching the two girls, with a smile, said: "You are mistaken. Miss Lucy; I am not jealous, and the proof. Miss Mary, is yonder, in the person of Monsieur de Bragelonne himself, who ought to be the cause of my jealousy, but who is dreaming in pensive solitude. Poor fellow! Allow me to leave you for a few minutes, while I avail myself of those few minutes to converse with Miss Lucy Stewart, to whom I have something to say." And then, bowing to Lucy, he added: "Will you do me the honor to accept my hand, in order that I may lead you to the king, who is waiting for us?" With these words Buckingham, still smiling, took Miss Stewart's hand and led her away. When by herself, Mary Grafton, her head gently inclined toward her shoulder, with that indolent gracefulness of action which distinguishes young English girls, remained for a moment with her eyes fixed on Eaoul, but as if uncertain what to do. At last, after first blushing violently and then turning deathly pale, thus revealing the internal combat which assailed her heart, she seemed to make up her mind to adopt a decided course, and with a tolerably firm step advanced toward the seat on which Raoul was reclining, buried in the profoundest medi- tation, as we have already said. The sound of Miss Mary's steps, though they could be hardly heard upon the green- sward, awakened Raoul from his musing attitude; he turned round, perceived the young girl, and walked forward to meet the companion whom his happy destiny had thrown in his way. "I have been sent to you, monsieur," said Mary Grafton; "will you accept me?" "To whom is my gratitude due for so great a happiness?'* inquired Raoul. "To the Duke of Buckingham," replied Mary, affecting a gayety she did not really feel. "To the Duke of Buckingham, do you say? — he who so passionately seeks your charming society? Am I really to believe you are serious, mademoiselle?" "The fact is, monsieur, you perceive that everything seems to conspire to make us pass the best, or rather the long'^st, part of our days together. Yesterday it was the king who desired me to beg you to seat yourself next to me at dinner; to-day it is the Duke of Buckingham who begs me to come and place myself near you on this seat." "And he has gone away in order to leave us together?*' asked Raoul, with some embarrassment.
