Do not be alarmed at this request, which contains nothing in any way opposed to the profound respect with which I subscribe myself, etc., etc." He had signed and folded this singular love-letter, when he suddenly observed several ladies leaving the chateau, and afterwards several courtiers too; in fact, almost every one that formed the queen's circle.

He saw La Valliere herself, then Montalais talking with Malicorne; he watched the departure of the very last of the numerous guests that had a short time before thronged the queen-mother's cabinet.
Madame herself had not yet passed; she would be obliged, however, to cross the courtyard in order to enter her own apartments; and, from the terrace where he was standing, De Guiche could see all that was going on in the courtyard.

At last he saw Madame leave, attended by a couple of pages, who were carrying torches before her.

She was walking very quickly; as soon as she reached the door, she said: "Let some one go and look for De Guiche: he has to render an account of a mission he had to discharge for me; if he should be disengaged, request him to be good enough to come to my apartment." De Guiche remained silent, hidden in the shade; but as soon as Madame had withdrawn, he darted from the terrace down the steps and assumed a most indifferent air, so that the pages who were hurrying towards his rooms might meet him.
"Ah! it is Madame, then, who is seeking me!" he said to himself, quite overcome; and he crushed in his hand the now worse than useless letter.
"M.

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.