Chapter 12

Chapter XII:
How De Wardes Was Received at Court.

Monsieur had received De Wardes with that marked favor light and
frivolous minds bestow on every novelty that comes in their way. De
Wardes, who had been absent for a month, was like fresh fruit to him. To
treat him with marked kindness was an infidelity to old friends, and
there is always something fascinating in that; moreover, it was a sort of
reparation to De Wardes himself. Nothing, consequently, could exceed the
favorable notice Monsieur took of him. The Chevalier de Lorraine, who
feared this rival but a little, but who respected a character and
disposition only too parallel to his own in every particular, with the
addition of a bull-dog courage he did not himself possess, received De
Wardes with a greater display of regard and affection than even Monsieur
had done. De Guiche, as we have said, was there also, but kept in the
background, waiting very patiently until all these interchanges were
over. De Wardes, while talking to the others, and even to Monsieur
himself, had not for a moment lost sight of De Guiche, who, he
instinctively felt, was there on his account. As soon as he had finished
with the others, he went up to De Guiche. They exchanged the most
courteous compliments, after which De Wardes returned to Monsieur and the
other gentlemen.

In the midst of these congratulations Madame was announced. She had been
informed of De Wardes's arrival, and knowing all the details of his
voyage and duel, she was not sorry to be present at the remarks she knew
would be made, without delay, by one who, she felt assured, was her
personal enemy. Two or three of her ladies accompanied her. De Wardes
saluted Madame in the most graceful and respectful manner, and, as a
commencement of hostilities, announced, in the first place, that he could
furnish the Duke of Buckingham's friends with the latest news about him.
This was a direct answer to the coldness with which Madame had received
him. The attack was a vigorous one, and Madame felt the blow, but
without appearing to have even noticed it. He rapidly cast a glance at
Monsieur and at De Guiche, - the former colored, and the latter turned
very pale. Madame alone preserved an unmoved countenance; but, as she
knew how many unpleasant thoughts and feelings her enemy could awaken in
the two persons who were listening to him, she smilingly bent forward
towards the traveler, as if to listen to the news he had brought - but he
was speaking of other matters. Madame was brave, even to imprudence; if
she were to retreat, it would be inviting an attack; so, after the first
disagreeable impression had
passed away, she returned to the charge.

"Have you suffered much from your wounds, Monsieur de Wardes?" she