Mademoiselle de Montalais, from the corner of the room to which she had retired, was looking with no slight confidence at the different persons present; and, having discovered Raoul, she amused herself with the profound astonishment which her own and her friend's presence there caused the unhappy lover.Her waggish and malicious look, which Raoul tried to avoid meeting, and which yet he sought inquiringly from time to time, placed him on the rack.As for Louise, whether from natural timidity, or some other reason for which Raoul could not account, she kept her eyes constantly cast down; intimidated, dazzled, and with impeded respiration, she withdrew herself as much as possible aside, unaffected even by the nudges Montalais gave her with her elbow.The whole scene was a perfect enigma for Raoul, the key to which he would have given anything to obtain.But no one was there who could assist him, not even Malicorne; who, a little uneasy at finding himself in the presence of so many persons of good birth, and not a little discouraged by Montalais's bantering glances, had described a circle, and by degrees succeeded in getting a few paces from the prince, behind the group of maids of honor, and nearly within reach of Mademoiselle Aure's voice, she being the planet around which he, as her attendant satellite, seemed constrained to gravitate.As he recovered his self-possession, Raoul fancied he recognized voices on his right hand that were familiar to him, and he perceived De Wardes, De Guiche, and the Chevalier de Lorraine, conversing together.It is true they were talking in tones so low, that the sound of their words could hardly be heard in the vast apartment.To speak in that manner from any particular place without bending down, or turning round, or looking at the person with whom one may be engaged in conversation, is a talent that cannot be immediately acquired by newcomers.Long study is needed for such conversations, which, without a look, gesture, or movement of the head, seem like the conversation of a group of statues.In fact, in the king's and queen's grand assemblies, while their majesties were speaking, and while every one present seemed to be listening in the midst of the most profound silence, some of these noiseless conversations took place, in which adulation was not the prevailing feature.But Raoul was one among others exceedingly clever in this art, so much a matter of etiquette, that from the movement of the lips he was often able to guess the sense of the words.
"Who is that Montalais?" inquired De Wardes, "and that La Valliere? What country-town have we had sent here?""Montalais?" said the chevalier, -- "oh, I know her; she is a good sort of a girl, whom we shall find amusing enough.La Valliere is a charming girl, slightly lame.""Ah! bah!" said De Wardes.
"Do not be absurd, De Wardes, there are some very characteristic and ingenious Latin axioms about lame ladies.""Gentlemen, gentlemen," said De Guiche, looking at Raoul with uneasiness, "be a little careful, I entreat you."But the uneasiness of the count, in appearance at least, was not needed.Raoul had preserved the firmest and most indifferent countenance, although he had not lost a word that passed.He seemed to keep an account of the insolence and license of the two speakers in order to settle matters with them at the earliest opportunity.
De Wardes seemed to guess what was passing in his mind, and continued:
"Who are these young ladies' lovers?"
"Montalais's lover?" said the chevalier.
"Yes, Montalais first."
"You, I, or De Guiche, -- whoever likes, in fact.""And the other?"
"Mademoiselle de la Valliere?"
"Yes."
"Take care, gentlemen," exclaimed De Guiche, anxious to put a stop to De Wardes's reply; "take care, Madame is listening to us."Raoul thrust his hand up to the wrist into his justaucorps in great agitation.But the very malignity which he saw was excited against these poor girls made him take a serious resolution."Poor Louise," he thought, "has come here only with an honorable object in view and under honorable protection; and I must learn what that object is which she has in view, and who it is that protects her." And following Malicorne's maneuver, he made his way toward the group of the maids of honor.The presentations were soon over.The king, who had done nothing but look at and admire Madame, shortly afterwards left the reception-room, accompanied by the two queens.The Chevalier de Lorraine resumed his place beside Monsieur, and, as he accompanied him, insinuated a few drops of the venom he had collected during the last hour, while looking at some of the faces in the court, and suspecting that some of their hearts might be happy.A few of the persons present followed the king as he quitted the apartment; but such of the courtiers as assumed an independence of character, and professed a gallantry of disposition, began to approach the ladies of the court.The prince paid his compliments to Mademoiselle de Tonnay-Charente, Buckingham devoted himself to Madame Chalais and Mademoiselle de Lafayette, whom Madame already distinguished by her notice, and whom she held in high regard.As for the Comte de Guiche, who had abandoned Monsieur as soon as he could approach Madame alone, he conversed, with great animation, with Madame de Valentinois, and with Mesdemoiselles de Crequy and de Chatillon.
Amid these varied political and amorous interests, Malicorne was anxious to gain Montalais's attention; but the latter preferred talking with Raoul, even if it were only to amuse herself with his innumerable questions and his astonishment.
Raoul had gone direct to Mademoiselle de la Valliere, and had saluted her with the profoundest respect, at which Louise blushed, and could not say a word.Montalais, however, hurried to her assistance.