le Comte," said one of the pages, approaching him, "we are indeed most fortunate in meeting you." "Why so, messieurs ?" "A command from Madame." "From Madame!" said De Guiche, looking surprised.
"Yes, M.le Comte, her royal highness has been asking for you: she expects to hear, she told us, the result of a commission you had to execute for her.

Are you at liberty ?" "I am quite at her royal highness's orders." "Will you have the goodness to follow us, then ?" When De Guiche ascended to the princess's apartments, he found her pale and agitated.

Montalais was standing at the door, apparently in some degree uneasy about what was passing in her mistress's mind.

De Guiche appeared.
"Ah! is that you, Monsieur de Guiche ?" said Madame; "come in, I beg.
Mademoiselle de Montalais, I do not require your attendance any longer." Montalais, more puzzled than ever, curtseyed and withdrew, and De Guiche and the princess were left alone.

The comte had every advantage in his favor; it was Madame who had summoned him to a rendezvous.