LOUISE DE LA VALLIEEE. 83 "Oh! that would not wound me in the slightest degree, my dear De Wardes/' said De Guiche, smiling, notwith- standing the shiver which ran through his whole frame. "Why, such a favor as that would be too great a happiness." "I admit that; but if I absolutely wished to quarrel with you, I should try and invent a falsehood, perhaps, and should speak to you about a certain arbor, where you and that illustrious princess were together — I should speak also of certain genuflections, of certain kissings of the hand; and you, who are so secret on all occasions, so hasty, and punctilious " "Well," said De Guiche, interrupting him, with a smile upon his lips, although he almost felt as if he were going to die; "I swear I should not care for that, nor should I in any way contradict you; for you must know, my dear marquis, that for all matter^ which concern myself, I am a block of ice; but it is a very different thing when an absent friend is concerned, a friend who, on leaving, confided his interests to my safe keeping; for such a friend, De Wardes, believe me, I am like fire itself." "I understand you, Monsieur de Guiche; in spite of what you say, there cannot be any question between us just now, either of Brageloune or of this young insignificant girl whose name is La Valliere." At this moment some of the younger courtiers were cross- ing the apartment, and having already heard the few words which had just been pronounced, were able also to hear those which were about to follow. De Wardes observed this, and continued, aloud: "Oh! if La Valliere were a coquette like madame, whose very innocent flirtations, I am sure, were, first of all, the cause of the Duke of Bucking- ham being sent back to England, and afterward were the reason of your being sent into exile; for you will not deny, I suppose, that madame's seductive manners did have a certain influence over you?" The courtiers drew nearer to the speakers, St. Aignan at their head, and then Manicamp. "But, my dear fellow, whose fault was that?" said De Guiche, laughing. "I am a vain, conceited fellow, I know, and everybody else knows it, too. I took seriously that which was only intended as a jest, and I got myself exiled for my pains. But I saw my error. I overcame my vanity, and I obtained my recall by making the amende honorable, and by promising myself to overcome this defect; and the consequence is, that I am so thoroughly cured that I now
