the windows of it were
open; upon this, slipping along by the side of the palisades, he came
up close to it, and one may easily judge what were the emotions of his
heart at that instant: he took his station behind one of the windows,
which served him conveniently to see what Madam de Cleves was doing.
He saw she was alone; he saw her so inimitably beautiful, that he could
scarce govern the transports which that sight gave him: the weather was
hot, her head and neck were uncovered, and her hair hung carelessly
about her. She lay on a couch with a table before her, on which were
several baskets full of ribbons, out of which she chose some, and he
observed she chose those colours which he wore at the tournament; he
saw her make them up into knots for an Indian cane, which had been his,
and which he had given to his sister; Madam de Cleves took it from her,
without seeming to know it had belonged to the Duke. After she had
finished her work with the sweetest grace imaginable, the sentiments of
her heart showing themselves in her countenance, she took a wax candle
and came to a great table over against the picture of the Siege of
Mets, in which was the portrait of the Duke de Nemours; she sat down
and set herself to look upon that portrait, with an attention and
thoughtfulness which love only can give.

It is impossible to express what Monsieur de Nemours felt at this
moment; to see, at midnight, in the finest place in the world, a lady
he adored, to see her without her knowing that he saw her, and to find
her wholly taken up with things that related to him, and to the passion
which she concealed from him; this is what was never tasted nor
imagined by any other lover.

The Duke was so transported and beside himself, that he continued
motionless, with his eyes fixed on Madam de Cleves, without thinking
how precious his time was; when he was a little recovered, he thought
it best not to speak to her till she came into the garden, and he
imagined he might do it there with more safety, because she would be at
a greater distance from her women; but finding she stayed in the bower,
he resolved to go in: when he was upon the point of doing it, what was
his confusion; how fearful was he of displeasing her, and of changing
that countenance, where so much sweetness dwelt, into looks of anger
and resentment!

To come to see Madam de Cleves without being seen by her had no
impudence in it, but to think of showing himself appeared v