As soon as Madame alighted, she found the Comte de Guiche at her side, who bowed and placed himself at her disposal.

Monsieur, delighted with his bath of the two previous days, had announced his preference for the river, and, having given De Guiche leave of absence, remained at the chateau with the Chevalier de Lorraine and Manicamp.

He was not in the slightest degree jealous.

He had been looked for to no purpose among those present; but as Monsieur was a man who thought a great deal of himself, and usually added very little to the general pleasure, his absence had rather been a subject of satisfaction than of regret.

Every one had followed the example which the queen and Madame had set, doing just as they pleased, according as chance or fancy influenced them.