shment, that of driving the stag to water, when, as he expected,
the royal hounds had sent it into the Crown forest which outlined the
horizon directly in front of the chateau. The prince knew well how to
soothe the self-love of his old huntsmen by giving them the most arduous
part of the work, and also that of the Englishman, whom he employed at
his own speciality, affording him a chance to show the fleetness of his
horses and dogs in the open. The two national systems were thus face to
face and allowed to do their best under each other's eyes.

"Does monseigneur wish us to wait any longer?" said La Roulie,
respectfully.

"I know what you mean, old friend," said the prince. "It is late, but--"

"Here come the ladies," said the second whipper-in.

At that moment the cavalcade of sixteen riders was seen to approach
at the head of which were the green veils of the four ladies. Modeste,
accompanied by her father, the grand equerry, and La Briere, was in the
advance, beside the Duchesse de Maufrigneuse whom the Vicomte de Serizy
escorted. Behind them rode the Duchesse de Chaulieu, flanked by Canalis,
on whom she was smiling without a trace of rancor. When they had reached
the open space where the huntsmen with their red coats and brass bugles,
surrounded by the hounds, made a picture worthy of Van der Meulen, the
Duchesse de Chaulieu, who, in spite of her embonpoint, sat her horse
admirably, rode up to Modeste, finding it more for her dignity not to
avoid that young person, to whom the evening before she had not said a
single word.

When the Master of the Hunt finished his compliments to the ladies on
their amazing punctuality, Eleonore deigned to observe the magnificent
whip which sparked in Modeste's little hand, and graciously asked leave
to look at it.

"I have never seen anything of the kind more beautiful," she said,
showing it to Diane de Maufrigneuse. "It is in keeping with its
possessor," she added, returning it to Modeste.

"You must admit, Madame la duchesse," answered Mademoiselle de La
Bastie, with a tender and malicious glance at La Briere, "that it is a
rather strange gift from the hand of a future husband."

"I should take it," said Madame de Maufrigneuse, "as a declaration of my
rights, in remembrance of Louis XIV."

La Briere's eyes were suffused, and for a moment he dropped his
reins; but a second glance from Modeste ordered him not to betray his
happiness. The hunt now began.

The Duc d'Herou