. It was not known at first for what reason he wore those
colours, but it was soon remembered that they were the colours of a
beautiful young lady whom he had been in love with, while she was a
maid, and whom he yet loved though he durst not show it. The Duke de
Nemours had yellow and black; why he had them could not be found out:
Madam de Cleves only knew the reason of it; she remembered to have said
before him she loved yellow, and that she was sorry her complexion did
not suit that colour. As for the Duke, he thought he might take that
colour without any indiscretion, since not being worn by Madam de
Cleves it could not be suspected to be hers.

The four champions showed the greatest address that can be imagined;
though the King was the best horseman in his kingdom, it was hard to
say which of them most excelled. The Duke de Nemours had a grace in
all his actions which might have inclined to his favour persons less
interested than Madam de Cleves. She no sooner saw him appear at the
end of the lists, but her heart felt uncommon emotions, and every
course he made she could scarce hide her joy when he had successfully
finished his career.

In the evening, when all was almost over, and the company ready to
break up, so it was for the misfortune of the State, that the King
would needs break another lance; he sent orders to the Count de
Montgomery, who was a very dextrous combatant, to appear in the lists.
The Count begged the King to excuse him, and alleged all the reasons
for it he could think of; but the King, almost angry, sent him word he
absolutely commanded him to do it. The Queen conjured the King not to
run any more, told him he had performed so well that he ought to be
satisfied, and desired him to go with her to her apartments; he made
answer, it was for her sake that he would run again; and entered the
barrier; she sent the Duke of Savoy to him to entreat him a second time
to return, but to no purpose; he ran; the lances were broke, and a
splinter of the Count de Montgomery's lance hit the King's eye, and
stuck there. The King fell; his gentlemen and Monsieur de Montmorency,
who was one of the Mareschals of the field, ran to him; they were
astonished to see him wounded, but the King was not at all
disheartened; he said, that it was but a slight hurt, and that he
forgave the Count de Montgomery. One may imagine what sorrow and
affliction so fatal an accident occasioned on a day set apart to mirth
and