Two or three of her ladies accompanied her.

De Wardes saluted Madame in the most graceful and respectful manner, and, as a commencement of hostilities, announced, in the first place, that he could furnish the Duke of Buckingham's friends with the latest news about him.

This was a direct answer to the coldness with which Madame had received him.

The attack was a vigorous one, and Madame felt the blow, but without appearing to have even noticed it.

He rapidly cast a glance at Monsieur and at De Guiche,--the former colored, and the latter turned very pale.