hy?"

"Why, you would always be together," said the former diplomat, with
comic good-humor.

"Oh, no," she said; "I am going to marry him."

"If we can believe d'Herouville, our dear Canalis stands in no need
of your help in that direction," said the duke, smiling. "Yesterday
Grandlieu read me some passages from a letter the grand equerry had
written him. No doubt they were dictated by the aunt for the express
purpose of their reaching you, for Mademoiselle d'Herouville, always on
the scent of a 'dot,' knows that Grandlieu and I play whist nearly every
evening. That good little d'Herouville wants the Prince de Cadignan to
go down and give a royal hunt in Normandy, and endeavor to persuade the
king to be present, so as to turn the head of the damozel when she sees
herself the object of such a grand affair. In short, two words from
Charles X. would settle the matter. D'Herouville says the girl has
incomparable beauty--"

"Henri, let us go to Havre!" cried the duchess, interrupting him.

"Under what pretext?" said her husband, gravely; he was one of the
confidants of Louis XVIII.

"I never saw a hunt."

"It would be all very well if the king went; but it is a terrible bore
to go so far, and he will not do it; I have just been speaking with him
about it."

"Perhaps _Madame_ would go?"

"That would be better," returned the duke, "I dare say the Duchesse de
Maufrigneuse would help you to persuade her from Rosny. If she goes the
king will not be displeased at the use of his hunting equipage. Don't
go to Havre, my dear," added the duke, paternally, "that would be giving
yourself away. Come, here's a better plan, I think. Gaspard's chateau of
Rosembray is on the other side of the forest of Brotonne; why not give
him a hint to invite the whole party?"

"He invite them?" said Eleonore.

"I mean, of course, the duchess; she is always engaged in pious works
with Mademoiselle d'Herouville; give that old maid a hint, and get her
to speak to Gaspard."

"You are a love of a man," cried Eleonore; "I'll write to the old maid
and to Diane at once, for we must get hunting things made,--a riding hat
is so becoming. Did you win last night at the English embassy?"

"Yes," said the duke; "I cleared myself."

"Henri, above all things, stop proceedings about Melchior's two
appointments."

After writing half a dozen lines to the beautiful Diane de Maufrigneuse,
and a short hint to Mademoiselle d'Herouville, Eleonore sent the
f