It is, indeed, a very great pity he is not here, M.de Wardes." The young man's eyes seemed to flash fire.

"Oh!" he said, as he clenched his teeth, "there is nothing I should like better." De Guiche did not move.

Madame seemed to expect that he would come to her assistance.

Monsieur hesitated.

The Chevalier de Lorraine advanced and continued the conversation.
"Madame," he said, "De Wardes knows perfectly well that for a Buckingham's heart to be touched is nothing new, and what he has said has already taken place." "Instead of an ally, I have two enemies," murmured Madame; "two determined enemies, and in league with each other." And she changed the conversation.