As for Madame, she entirely threw aside all regard for the formal observances of propriety society imposes; for when, with her, passion spoke in accents either of anger or sympathy, nothing could restrain her impulses.

Madame approached Manicamp, who had subsided in a chair, as if his grief were a sufficiently powerful excuse for his infraction of the laws of etiquette.

"Monsieur," she said, seizing him by the hand, "be frank with me." Manicamp looked up.
"Is M.de Guiche in danger of death ?" "Doubly so, Madame," he replied; "in the first place on account of the hemorrhage which has taken place, an artery having been injured in the hand; and next, in consequence of the wound in his breast, which may, the doctor is afraid, at least, have injured some vital part." "He may die, then ?" "Die, yes, Madame; and without even having had the consolation of knowing that you have been told of his devotion." "You will tell him." "I ?" "Yes; are you not his friend ?" "I?
oh, no, Madame; I will only tell M.de Guiche--if, indeed, he is still in a condition to hear me--I will only tell him what I have seen; that is, your cruelty to him." "Oh, monsieur, you will not be guilty of such barbarity!" "Indeed, Madame, I shall speak the truth, for nature is very energetic in a man of his age.

The physicians are clever men, and if, by chance, the poor comte should survive his wound, I should not wish him to die of a wound of the heart, after surviving one of the body." Manicamp rose, and with an expression of profoundest respect, seemed to be desirous of taking leave.
"At least, monsieur," said Madame, stopping him with almost a suppliant air, "you will be kind enough to tell me in what state your wounded friend is, and who is the physician who attends him ?" "As regards the state he is in, Madame, he is seriously ill; his physician is M.Valot, his majesty's private medical attendant.

M.Valot is moreover assisted by a professional friend, to whose house M.de Guiche has been carried." "What! he is not in the chateau ?" said Madame.
"Alas, Madame! the poor fellow was so ill, that he could not even be conveyed thither." "Give me the address, monsieur," said the princess, hurriedly; "I will send to inquire after him." "Rue du Feurre; a brick-built house, with white outside blinds.