Chapter 52

Chapter LII:
Two Jealousies.

Lovers are tender towards everything that forms part of the daily life of
the object of their affection. Raoul no sooner found himself alone with
Montalais, than he kissed her hand with rapture. "There, there," said
the young girl, sadly, "you are throwing your kisses away; I will
guarantee that they will not bring you back any interest."

"How so? - Why? - Will you explain to me, my dear Aure?"

"Madame will explain everything to you. I am going to take you to her
apartments.

"_What!_"

"Silence! and throw away your dark and savage looks. The windows here
have eyes, the walls have ears. Have the kindness not to look at me any
longer; be good enough to speak to me aloud of the rain, of the fine
weather, and of the charms of England."

"At all events - " interrupted Raoul.

"I tell you, I warn you, that wherever people may be, I know not how,
Madame is sure to have eyes and ears open. I am not very desirous, you
can easily believe, of being dismissed or thrown in to the Bastile. Let
us talk, I tell you, or rather, do not let us talk at all."

Raoul clenched his hands, and tried to assume the look and gait of a man
of courage, it is true, but of a man of courage on his way to the torture
chamber. Montalais, glancing in every direction, walking along with an
easy swinging gait, and holding up her head pertly in the air, preceded
him to Madame's apartments, where he was at once introduced. "Well," he
thought, "this day will pass away without my learning anything. Guiche
showed too much consideration for my feelings; he had no doubt come to an
understanding with Madame, and both of them, by a friendly plot, agreed
to postpone the solution of the problem. Why have I not a determined,
inveterate enemy - that serpent, De Wardes, for instance; that he would
bite, is very likely; but I should not hesitate any more. To hesitate,
to doubt - better, far, to die."

The next moment Raoul was in Madame's presence. Henrietta, more charming
than ever, was half lying, half reclining in her armchair, her small feet
upon an embroidered velvet cushion; she was playing with a kitten with
long silky fur, which was biting her fingers and hanging by the lace of
her collar.

Madame seemed plunged in deep thought, so deep, indeed, that it required
both Montalais and Raoul's voice to disturb her from her reverie.

"Your highness sent for me?" repeated Raoul.

Madame shook her head as if she were just awakening, and then said, "Good
morning, Monsieur de Bragelonne; yes, I sent for you; so you have
returned from England?"

"Yes, Madame, and am at your royal highness's commands."

"Thank you; leave us, Montalais," and the latter