If Madam de Cleves was grieved at first through the thought that she
had no concern in this adventure, the Queen-Dauphin's last words threw
her into an agony, by making it certain she had too much in it; she
could not answer, but continued leaning her head on the bed; meanwhile
the Queen went on, and was so intent on what she was saying, that she
took no notice of her embarrassment. When Madam de Cleves was a little
come to herself,
"This story, Madam," says she, "does not seem very
probable to me, and I should be glad to know who told it you." "It was
Madam de Martigues," replied the Queen-Dauphin, "and she heard it from
the Viscount de Chartres; you know the Viscount is in love with her; he
entrusted this matter to her as a secret, and he was told it by the
Duke de Nemours himself; it is true the Duke did not tell the lady's
name, nor acknowledge that he was the person she was in love with, but
the Viscount makes no manner of question of it." When the
Queen-Dauphin had done speaking, somebody came up to the bed; Madam de
Cleves was so placed that she could not see who it was, but she was
presently convinced, when the Queen-Dauphin cried out with an air of
gaiety and surprise, "Here he is himself, I'll ask him what there is in
it." Madam de Cleves knew very well it was the Duke de Nemours,
without turning herself, as it really was; upon which she went up
hastily to the Queen-Dauphin, and told her softly, that she ought to be
cautious of speaking to him of this adventure, which he had entrusted
to the Viscount de Chartres as a secret, and that it was a thing which
might create a quarrel between them. "You are too wise," said the
Queen-Dauphin smiling, and turned to the Duke de Nemours. He was
dressed for the evening assembly, and taking up the discourse with that
grace which was natural to him, "I believe, Madam," says he, "I may
venture to think you were speaking of me as I came in, that you had a
design to ask me something, and that Madam de Cleves is against it."
"It is true," replied the Queen-Dauphin, "but I shall not be so
complaisant to her on this occasion as I was used to be; I would know
of you, whether a story I have been told is true, and whether you are
not the person who is in love with, and beloved by a lady of the Court,
who endeavours to conceal her passion from you, and has confessed it to
her husband."