第86章

"Your mind is no doubt at Fougeres," she remarked bitterly, seeing how useless her efforts to attract his attention had been."Ah, monsieur, I would give my life to put /her/ within your power, and see you happy with her.""Then why have you done all you could to kill her?""Because I wish her dead or in your arms.Yes, I may have loved the Marquis de Montauran when I thought him a hero, but now I feel only a pitying friendship for him; I see him shorn of all his glory by a fickle love for a worthless woman.""As for love," said the marquis, in a sarcastic tone, "you judge me wrong.If I loved that girl, madame, I might desire her less; if it were not for you, perhaps I should not think of her at all.""Here she is!" exclaimed Madame du Gua, abruptly.

The haste with which the marquis looked round went to the heart of the woman; but the clear light of the wax candles enabled her to see every change on the face of the man she loved so violently, and when he turned back his face, smiling at her woman's trick, she fancied there was still some hope of recovering him.

"What are you laughing at?" asked the Comte de Bauvan.

"At a soap-bubble which has burst," interposed Madame du Gua, gaily.

"The marquis, if we are now to believe him, is astonished that his heart ever beat the faster for that girl who presumes to call herself Mademoiselle de Verneuil.You know who I mean.""That girl!" echoed the count."Madame, the author of a wrong is bound to repair it.I give you my word of honor that she is really the daughter of the Duc de Verneuil.""Monsieur le comte," said the marquis, in a changed voice, "which of your statements am I to believe,--that of La Vivetiere, or that now made?"The loud voice of a servant at the door announced Mademoiselle de Verneuil.The count sprang forward instantly, offered his hand to the beautiful woman with every mark of profound respect, and led her through the inquisitive crowd to the marquis and Madame du Gua.

"Believe the one now made," he replied to the astonished young leader.

Madame du Gua turned pale at the unwelcome sight of the girl, who stood for a moment, glancing proudly over the assembled company, among whom she sought to find the guests at La Vivetiere.She awaited the forced salutation of her rival, and, without even looking at the marquis, she allowed the count to lead her to the place of honor beside Madame du Gua, whose bow she returned with an air that was slightly protecting.But the latter, with a woman's instinct, took no offense; on the contrary, she immediately assumed a smiling, friendly manner.The extraordinary dress and beauty of Mademoiselle de Verneuil caused a murmur throughout the ballroom.When the marquis and Madame du Gua looked towards the late guests at La Vivetiere they saw them in an attitude of respectful admiration which was not assumed; each seemed desirous of recovering favor with the misjudged young woman.

The enemies were in presence of each other.

"This is really magic, mademoiselle," said Madame du Gua; "there is no one like you for surprises.Have you come all alone?""All alone," replied Mademoiselle de Verneuil."So you have only one to kill to-night, madame.""Be merciful," said Madame du Gua."I cannot express to you the pleasure I have in seeing you again.I have truly been overwhelmed by the remembrance of the wrongs I have done you, and am most anxious for an occasion to repair them.""As for those wrongs, madame, I readily pardon those you did to me, but my heart bleeds for the Blues whom you murdered.However, I excuse all, in return for the service you have done me."Madame du Gua lost countenance as she felt her hand pressed by her beautiful rival with insulting courtesy.The marquis had hitherto stood motionless, but he now seized the arm of the count.

"You have shamefully misled me," he said; "you have compromised my honor.I am not a Geronte of comedy, and I shall have your life or you will have mine.""Marquis," said the count, haughtily, "I am ready to give you all the explanations you desire."They passed into the next room.The witnesses of this scene, even those least initiated into the secret, began to understand its nature, so that when the musicians gave the signal for the dancing to begin no one moved.

"Mademoiselle, what service have I rendered you that deserves a return?" said Madame du Gua, biting her lips in a sort of rage.

"Did you not enlighten me as to the true character of the Marquis de Montauran, madame? With what utter indifference that man allowed me to go to my death! I give him up to you willingly!""Then why are you here?" asked Madame du Gua, eagerly.

"To recover the respect and consideration you took from me at La Vivetiere, madame.As for all the rest, make yourself easy.Even if the marquis returned to me, you know very well that a return is never love."Madame du Gua took Mademoiselle de Verneuil's hand with that affectionate touch and motion which women practise to each other, especially in the presence of men.

"Well, my poor dear child," she said, "I am glad to find you so reasonable.If the service I did you was rather harsh," she added, pressing the hand she held, and feeling a desire to rend it as her fingers felt its softness and delicacy, "it shall at least be thorough.Listen to me, I know the character of the Gars; he meant to deceive you; he neither can nor will marry any woman except--""Ah!"

"Yes, mademoiselle, he has accepted his dangerous mission to win the hand of Mademoiselle d'Uxelles, a marriage to which his Majesty has promised his countenance.""Ah! ah!"