第68章

"The public will then be enabled to judge of the virtue and humanity of one who affects to treat me with a ridiculous disdain.

There exists no law against a fair lady having lovers and admirers, but a stern one forbids her to command or procure their destruction.

I KNOW ALL; and madame d'Egmont's future conduct will decide my silence and discretion. The affair with Moireau is not the only one, others of even a graver sin preceded it. I can publish the whole together; and, I repeat, my determination on this head depends wholly and entirely upon the manner in which madame d'Egmont shall henceforward conduct herself towards me. I beg madame de Rossin will allow me to subscribe myself, with every feeling she so well, merits,"Her very humble and most obedient servant,"THE COMTESSE DU BARRY"I had communicated to no one the secret of this vengeance; I wished to keep the delight of thus exciting the rage of the princesse d'Egmont all to myself. I was certain, that whatever might henceforward be her line of conduct towards me, that whenever she found herself in my presence, she would bitterly feel the stings of an accusing conscience, and the gnawings of that worm which dieth not in the heart of hypocritical and wicked persons, more especially when compelled to meet the eye of those who could unmask them in a minute.

On the following day I received a visit from the duc de Richelieu.

Spite of the many endeavors he made to appear smiling and good humored, a deep rage kept its station round his mouth, and contracted his lips even in the midst of the artificial smile with which he sought to dissimulate his wrath.