versation: she sent for Matta to know the truth of it from
himself: he confessed, that before the Allobroges were mentioned the
Marquis was for quarrelling with him, because he was not in love with
his wife.

Their acquaintance having begun in this manner, all the esteem which
the Marquis had formerly expressed for the Chevalier seemed now directed
towards Matta: he went every day to pay Matta a visit, and Matta was
every day with his wife. This did not at all suit the Chevalier: he
repented of his having chid Matta, whose assiduity now interrupted all
his schemes; and the Marchioness was still more embarrassed. Whatever
wit a man may have, it will never please where his company is disliked;
and she repented that she had been formerly guilty of some trifling
advances towards him.

Matta began to find charms in her person, and might have found the same
in her conversation, if she had been inclined to display them; but it
is impossible to be in good humour with persons who thwart our designs.
While his passion increased, the Chevalier de Grammont was solely
occupied in endeavouring to find out some method, by which he might
accomplish his intrigue; and this was the stratagem which he put in
execution to clear the coast, by removing, at one and the same time,
both the lover and the husband.

He told Matta, that they ought to invite the Marquis to supper at their
lodgings, and he would take upon himself to provide everything proper
for the occasion. Matta desired to know if it was to play at quinze, and
assured him that he should take care to render abortive any intention
he might have to engage in play, and leave him alone with the greatest
blockhead in all Europe. The Chevalier de Grammont did not entertain
any such thought, being persuaded that it would be impossible to take
advantage of any such opportunity, in whatever manner he might take his
measures, and that they would seek for him in every corner of the
city rather than allow him the least repose: his whole attention was
therefore employed in rendering the entertainment agreeable, in finding
out means of prolonging it, in order ultimately to kindle some dispute
between the Marquis and Matta. For this purpose he put himself in the
best humour in the world, and the wine produced the same effect on the
rest of the company.

The Chevalier de Grammont expressed his concern, that he had not been
able to give the Marquis a little concert, as he had intended in the
m