A Surprise for Madame de Montalais.
Madame's marriage was celebrated in the chapel of the Palais-Royal, in the presence of a crowd of courtiers, who had been most scrupulously selected.However, notwithstanding the marked favor which an invitation indicated, Raoul, faithful to his promise to Malicorne, who was so anxious to witness the ceremony, obtained admission for him.After he had fulfilled this engagement, Raoul approached De Guiche, who, as if in contrast with his magnificent costume, exhibited a countenance so utterly dejected, that the Duke of Buckingham was the only one present who could contend with him as far as pallor and discomfiture were concerned.
"Take care, count," said Raoul, approaching his friend, and preparing to support him at the moment the archbishop blessed the married couple.In fact, the Prince of Conde was attentively scrutinizing these two images of desolation, standing like caryatides on either side of the nave of the church.The count, after that, kept a more careful watch over himself.
At the termination of the ceremony, the king and queen passed onward towards the grand reception-room, where Madame and her suite were to be presented to them.It was remarked that the king, who had seemed more than surprised at his sister-in-law's appearance was most flattering in his compliments to her.Again, it was remarked that the queen-mother, fixing a long and thoughtful gaze upon Buckingham, leaned towards Madame de Motteville as though to ask her, "Do you not see how much he resembles his father?"and finally it was remarked that Monsieur watched everybody, and seemed quite discontented.After the reception of the princess and ambassadors, Monsieur solicited the king's permission to present to him as well as to Madame the persons belonging to their new household.
"Are you aware, vicomte," inquired the Prince de Conde of Raoul, "whether the household has been selected by a person of taste, and whether there are any faces worth looking at?""I have not the slightest idea, monseigneur," replied Raoul.
"You affect ignorance, surely."
"In what way, monseigneur?"
"You are a friend of De Guiche, who is one of the friends of the prince.""That may be so, monseigneur; but the matter having no interest whatever for me, I never questioned De Guiche on the subject; and De Guiche on his part, never having been questioned, did not communicate any particulars to me.""But Manicamp?"
"It is true I saw Manicamp at Havre, and during the journey here, but I was no more inquisitive with him than I had been towards De Guiche.Besides, is it likely that Manicamp should know anything of such matters? for he is a person of only secondary importance.""My dear vicomte, do you not know better than that?" said the prince; "why, it is these persons of secondary importance who, on such occasions, have all the influence;and the truth is, that nearly everything has been done through Manicamp's presentations to De Guiche, and through De Guiche to Monsieur.""I assure you, monseigneur, I was ignorant of that," said Raoul, "and what your highness does me the honor to impart is perfectly new to me.""I will most readily believe you, although it seems incredible; besides, we shall not have long to wait.See, the flying squadron is advancing, as good Queen Catherine used to say.Ah! ah! what pretty faces!"A bevy of young girls at this moment entered the salon, conducted by Madame de Navailles, and to Manicamp's credit be it said, if indeed he had taken that part in their selection which the Prince de Conde assigned him, it was a display calculated to dazzle those who, like the prince, could appreciate every character and style of beauty.Ayoung, fair-complexioned girl, from twenty to one-and-twenty years of age, and whose large blue eyes flashed, as she opened them, in the most dazzling manner, walked at the head of the band and was the first presented.
"Mademoiselle de Tonnay-Charente," said Madame de Navailles to Monsieur, who, as he saluted his wife, repeated "Mademoiselle de Tonnay-Charente.""Ah! ah!" said the Prince de Conde to Raoul, "she is presentable enough.""Yes," said Raoul, "but has she not a somewhat haughty style?""Bah! we know these airs very well, vicomte; three months hence she will be tame enough.But look, there, indeed, is a pretty face.""Yes," said Raoul, "and one I am acquainted with.""Mademoiselle Aure de Montalais," said Madame de Navailles.
The name and Christian name were carefully repeated by Monsieur.
"Great heavens!" exclaimed Raoul, fixing his bewildered gaze upon the entrance doorway.
"What's the matter?" inquired the prince; "was it Mademoiselle Aure de Montalais who made you utter such a `Great heavens'?""No, monseigneur, no," replied Raoul, pale and trembling.
"Well, then, if it be not Mademoiselle Aure de Montalais, it is that pretty blonde who follows her.What beautiful eyes!
She is rather thin, but has fascinations without number.""Mademoiselle de la Baume le Blanc de la Valliere!" said Madame de Navailles; and, as this name resounded through his whole being, a cloud seemed to rise from his breast to his eyes, so that he neither saw nor heard anything more; and the prince, finding him nothing more than a mere echo which remained silent under his railleries, moved forward to inspect somewhat closer the beautiful girls whom his first glance had already particularized.
"Louise here! Louise a maid of honor to Madame!" murmured Raoul, and his eyes, which did not suffice to satisfy his reason, wandered from Louise to Montalais.The latter had already emancipated herself from her assumed timidity, which she only needed for the presentation and for her reverences.