e my
leave. It is impossible you can be suspicious of Madame?"

"No, no, chevalier; I do not suspect Madame; but in fact, I observe--I
compare--"

"Buckingham was a madman, monseigneur."

"A madman about whom, however, you opened my eyes thoroughly."

"No, no," said the chevalier, quickly; "it was not I who opened your
eyes, it was De Guiche. Do not confound us, I beg." And he began to
laugh in so harsh a manner that it sounded like the hiss of a serpent.

"Yes, yes; I remember. You said a few words, but De Guiche showed the
most jealousy."

"I should think so," continued the chevalier, in the same tone. "He was
fighting for home and altar."

"What did you say?" said the duke, haughtily, thoroughly roused by this
insidious jest.

"Am I not right? for does not M. de Guiche hold the chief post of honor
in your household?"

"Well," replied the duke, somewhat calmed, "had this passion of
Buckingham been remarked?"

"Certainly."

"Very well. Do people say that M. de Guiche's is remarked as much?"

"Pardon me, monseigneur; you are again mistaken; no one says that M. de
Guiche entertains anything of the sort."

"Very good."

"You see, monseigneur, that it would have been better, a hundred times
better, to have left me in my retirement, than to have allowed you to
conjure up, by aid of any scruples I may have had, suspicions which
Madame will regard as crimes, and she would be in the right, too."

"What would you do?"

"Act reasonably."

"In what way?"

"I should not pay the slightest attention to the society of these new
Epicurean philosophers; and, in that way, the rumors will cease."

"Well, I will see; I will think it over."

"Oh, you have time enough; the danger is not great; and then, besides,
it is not a question of danger or of passion. It all arose from a fear
I had to see your friendship for me decrease. From the very moment you
restore it, with so kind an assurance of its existence, I have no longer
any other idea in my head."

The duke shook his head as if he meant to say: "If you have no more
ideas, I have, though." It being now the dinner hour, the prince sent to
inform Madame of it; but she returned a message to the effect that she
could not be present, but would dine in her own apartment.

"That is not my fault," said the duke. "This morning, having taken them
by surprise in the midst of a musical party, I got jealous; and so they
are in the sulks with me."

"We will dine alone,"