“It is dreadful,” murmured the cardinal; “the fall from so much happiness is overwhelming. I shall die of it.”
“Suffering is always the consequence of love. Come, monseigneur, decide. Am I to remain here, or start for Lausanne?”
“Good. Well, then, I forbid interviews, but not letters.”
The cardinal kissed Jeanne’s hand again, and called her his guardian angel. The demon within her must have laughed.
That day, at four o’clock, a man on horseback stopped in the outskirts of the park, just behind the baths of Apollo, where M. de Rohan used to wait. He got off, and looked at the places where the grass had been trodden down. “Here are the traces,” thought he; “it is as I supposed. M. de Charny has returned for a fortnight, and this is where he enters the park.” And he sighed. “Leave him to his happiness. God gives to one, and denies to another. But I will have proof to-night. I will hide in the bushes, and see what happens.”
As for Charny, obedient to the queen’s commands, he waited for orders; but it was half-past ten, and no one appeared. He waited with impatient anxiety. Then he began to think she had deceived him, and had promised what she did not mean to perform. “How could I be so foolish—I, who saw her—to be taken in by her words and promises!” At last he saw a figure approaching, wrapped in a large black mantle, and he uttered a cry of joy, for he recognized the queen. He ran to her, and fell at her feet.
“Ah, madame! I scarcely hoped you were coming.”
“There is no reason why they should not come again to-night. You have not spoken to any one.”
“Come into the thick wood, and let us watch, I have not spoken of this to M. de Crosne. I have already mentioned this creature to him, and if she be not arrested, he is either incapable, or in league with my enemies. It seems incredible that any one should dare to play such tricks under my eyes, unless they were sure of impunity. Therefore, I think it is time to take the care of my reputation on myself. What do you think?”
“Oh, madame! allow me to be silent! I am ashamed of all I have said.”
“At least you are an honest man,” replied the queen, “and speak to the accused face to face. You do not stab in the dark.”
“Oh, madame, it is eleven o’clock! I tremble.”