An Account of what the Chevalier de Lorraine thought of Madame.
Nothing further interrupted the journey.Under a pretext that was little remarked, M.de Wardes went forward in advance of the others.He took Manicamp with him, for his equable and dreamy disposition acted as a counterpoise to his own.It is a subject of remark, that quarrelsome and restless characters invariably seek the companionship of gentle, timorous dispositions, as if the former sought, in the contrast, a repose for their own ill-humor, and the latter a protection for their weakness.Buckingham and Bragelonne admitting De Guiche into their friendship, in concert with him, sang the praises of the princess during the whole of the journey.Bragelonne had, however, insisted that their three voices should be in concert, instead of singing in solo parts, as De Guiche and his rival seemed to have acquired a dangerous habit of investigation.This style of harmony pleased the queen-mother exceedingly, but it was not perhaps so agreeable to the young princess, who was an incarnation of coquetry, and who, without any fear as far as her own voice was concerned, sought opportunities of so perilously distinguishing herself.She possessed one of those fearless and incautious dispositions that find gratification in an excess of sensitiveness of feeling, and for whom, also, danger has a certain fascination.And so her glances, her smiles, her toilette, an inexhaustible armory of weapons of offense.were showered on the three young men with overwhelming force; and, from her well-stored arsenal issued glances, kindly recognitions, and a thousand other little charming attentions which were intended to strike at long range the gentlemen who formed the escort, the townspeople, the officers of the different cities she passed through, pages, populace, and servants; it was wholesale slaughter, a general devastation.By the time Madame arrived at Paris, she had reduced to slavery about a hundred thousand lovers: and brought in her train to Paris half a dozen men who were almost mad about her, and two who were, indeed, literally out of their minds.Raoul was the only person who divined the power of this woman's attraction, and as his heart was already engaged, he arrived in the capital full of indifference and distrust.Occasionally during the journey he conversed with the queen of England respecting the power of fascination which Madame possessed, and the mother, whom so many misfortunes and deceptions had taught experience, replied: "Henrietta was sure to be illustrious in one way or another, whether born in a palace or born in obscurity; for she is a woman of great imagination, capricious and self-willed." De Wardes and Manicamp, in their self-assumed character of courtiers, had announced the princess's arrival.The procession was met at Nanterre by a brilliant escort of cavaliers and carriages.It was Monsieur himself, followed by the Chevalier de Lorraine and by his favorites, the latter being themselves followed by a portion of the king's military household, who had arrived to meet his affianced bride.At St.Germain, the princess and her mother had changed their heavy traveling carriage, somewhat impaired by the journey, for a light, richly decorated chariot drawn by six horses with white and gold harness.
Seated in this open carriage, as though upon a throne, and beneath a parasol of embroidered silk, fringed with feathers, sat the young and lovely princess, on whose beaming face were reflected the softened rose-tints which suited her delicate skin to perfection.Monsieur, on reaching the carriage, was struck by her beauty; he showed his admiration in so marked a manner that the Chevalier de Lorraine shrugged his shoulders as he listened to his compliments, while Buckingham and De Guiche were almost heart-broken.After the usual courtesies had been rendered, and the ceremony completed, the procession slowly resumed the road to Paris.The presentations had been carelessly made, and Buckingham, with the rest of the English gentlemen, had been introduced to Monsieur, from whom they had received but very indifferent attention.But, during their progress, as he observed that the duke devoted himself with his accustomed earnestness to the carriage-door, he asked the Chevalier de Lorraine, his inseparable companion, "Who is that cavalier?""He was presented to your highness a short while ago; it is the handsome Duke of Buckingham.""Ah, yes, I remember."
"Madame's knight," added the favorite, with an inflection of the voice which envious minds can alone give to the ******st phrases.
"What do you say?" replied the prince.
"I said `Madame's knight.'"
"Has she a recognized knight, then?"
"One would think you can judge of that for yourself; look, only, how they are laughing and flirting.All three of them.""What do you mean by all three?"
"Do you not see that De Guiche is one of the party?""Yes, I see.But what does that prove?"
"That Madame has two admirers instead of one.""Thou poison the ******st thing!"
"I poison nothing.Ah! your royal highness's mind is perverted.The honors of the kingdom of France are being paid to your wife and you are not satisfied."The Duke of Orleans dreaded the satirical humor of the Chevalier de Lorraine whenever it reached a certain degree of bitterness, and he changed the conversation abruptly.
"The princess is pretty," said he, very negligently, as if he were speaking of a stranger.
"Yes," replied the chevalier, in the same tone.
"You say `yes' like a `no.' She has very beautiful black eyes.""Yes, but small."
"That is so, but they are brilliant.She is tall, and of a good figure.""I fancy she stoops a little, my lord?"
"I do not deny it.She has a noble appearance.""Yes, but her face is thin."
"I thought her teeth beautiful."
"They can easily be seen, for her mouth is large enough.