Chapter
1 III | by Louis XIV for the~Duc de Maine--the Benjamin among
2 III | notion~that M. le Prince de Montmorency, for instance,
3 III | name; or that M. le Duc de Fitz-James,~descendant of
4 IV | nineteenth century, are princes de facto. A great~artist is
5 IV | many~dukes like the Duc de Laval, whose modesty made
6 IV | They stood nice about M. de~Talleyrand's marriage, when
7 IV | Talleyrand's marriage, when M. de Talleyrand was the one man~
8 IV | triumphs in the Chambers,~M. de Talleyrand's attitude in
9 IV | the Fronde, the Marechal de Richelieu~under Louis XV,
10 IV | touched.~ ~The Duchesse de Langeais (for that was her
11 IV | upper hand. The Duchesse~de Langeais, a Navarreins by
12 IV | at Court. So, Antoinette de Navarreins, at the~age of
13 IV | been spent to marry the Duc de Langeais's eldest~son. The
14 IV | miseries of the war.~ ~The Ducs de Navarreins and de Langeais
15 IV | The Ducs de Navarreins and de Langeais had been faithful~
16 IV | married to M.~le Marquis de Langeais only a few months
17 IV | Republic.~ ~In 1818, M. le Duc de Langeais commanded a division
18 IV | for~appearances. The Duc de Langeais, by nature as methodical
19 IV | methodical as the~Chevalier de Folard himself, gave himself
20 IV | This was Mme la Duchesse de Langeais's real position,
21 IV | rejoicings over the Duc de Berri's marriage. The Court~
22 V | eighteen months the Duchesse de Langeais had been~leading
23 V | the discovery still in Mme de Langeais's early~womanhood,
24 V | friend~Mme la Vicomtesse de Fontaine, one of the humble
25 V | unfrequently treacherous. Mme de Langeais~had distributed
26 V | dread, she turned to Mme de Maufrigneuse~with, "Who
27 V | of, no doubt. The Marquis de~Montriveau."~ ~"Oh! is it
28 V | the fashion."~ ~M. Armand de Montriveau, at that moment
29 V | the only son of General de~Montriveau, one of the ci-devants
30 V | of the Republic. Armand de Montriveau left school~with
31 V | reasons, inherent in Armand~de Montriveau's character,
32 VI | himself; in short, Armand de Montriveau was one of~many
33 VI | Hundred Days, and Armand de~Montriveau left France.~ ~
34 VI | guarantees of fidelity. M. de Montriveau's name once~more
35 VI | came to seek the Marquis de~Montriveau; he had asked
36 VI | grimaces were lost upon M. de Montriveau; his nature~only
37 VI | these reasons the Duchesse de Langeais's curiosity was
38 VI | heard the story of one of M. de Montriveau's~adventures,
39 VI | ever-changing fancy.~ ~During M. de Montriveau's voyage of discovery
40 VI | man is right," thought M. de Montriveau.~ ~So he went
41 VI | pain and human strength,~M. de Montriveau would not be
42 VI | at an end, and still~M. de Montriveau saw nothing,
43 VI | that~this was that Marquis de Montriveau of whom she had
44 VI | ironical bent.~ ~The Duchesse de Langeais, realising that
45 VI | to gain a lover in~Armand de Montriveau during the brief
46 VI | interval before the~Duchesse de Maufrigneuse brought him
47 VI | excess of delicacy.~ ~M. de Montriveau willingly consented
48 VI | introduced to the~Duchesse de Langeais; and she, after
49 VI | her tone and smiles, M. de~Montriveau was about to
50 VI | irresistible grace, that M. de~Montriveau could not refuse
51 VI | vouchsafed him by the~Duchesse de Langeais. The difficult
52 VI | This, therefore, was M. de Montriveau's position with
53 VI | ambition, art or science, as M. de~Montriveau by war and a
54 VI | Vehement desire~seized on M. de Montriveau, desire that
55 VI | mistress!" or, "If the Duchesse~de Langeais cared for a man,
56 VI | General said, "I will have Mme de Langeais for my~mistress."
57 VI | has~set his foot.~ ~Armand de Montriveau suddenly took
58 VI | perturbed his mind, Armand de Montriveau~discovered that
59 VI | single reflection, Armand de~Montriveau wiped out his
60 VI | dressed, came to the Hotel de~Langeais towards eight o'
61 VI | dimly lighted boudoir. Mme de~Langeais did not so much
62 VI | repose. She turned to M. de Montriveau, from whom she~
63 VI | Confound it!" thought Armand de Montriveau, "how am I to
64 VI | dress and go to the Hotel de Langeais. To~anyone who
65 VI | details. He admired Mme de Langeais herself in the~
66 VI | once, while she~watched M. de Montriveau; and he was lost
67 VI | Duchess understood son~metier de femme--the art and mystery
68 VI | and to receive.~ ~Was Mme de Langeais really carried
69 VI | I certainly promised Mme de Beauseant," she added. "
70 VI | Every evening he came to Mme de Langeais's at the~hour kept
71 VI | insatiable hands. Wherever Mme de Langeais went, M. de~Montriveau
72 VI | Mme de Langeais went, M. de~Montriveau was certain to
73 VI | envied him his position. Mme de~Langeais had attained her
74 VI | attained her end. The Marquis de Montriveau was~among her
75 VI | them all.~ ~"Decidedly, M. de Montriveau is the man for
76 VI | preference," pronounced Mme de Serizy.~ ~And who in Paris
77 VI | take a lover away from Mme~de Langeais. The Duchess was
78 VI | the dupe of them. As M. de Talleyrand, one of~her great
79 VI | depths~of her soul that M. de Montriveau understood nothing
80 VI | Duchess," the old Vidame de~Pamiers had said. " 'Tis
81 VI | not take care."~ ~Then Mme de Langeais felt afraid. The
82 VI | My~way of life with M. de Langeais gives me liberty
83 VI | the rupture between~Mme de Beauseant and M. d'Ajuda (
84 VI | he is going to marry Mlle de~Rochefide, it seems), that
85 VII | own~part, I fear God. M. de Langeais may have given
86 VII | no manner of harm."~ ~M. de Montriveau beat a tattoo
87 VII | think of~him again."~ ~Mme de Langeais was silent awhile.~ ~"
88 VII | anything should happen to M. de Langeais by your fault,
89 VII | words and deeds~that M. de Montriveau was no lover
90 VII | repressed desire. Armand~and Mme de Langeais, like Hindoo fakirs,
91 VII | her door on the Marquis de~Montriveau; every evening,
92 VII | yield to love; wherefore Mme de Langeais promptly~raised
93 VII | artillery officer!~ ~When Mme de Langeais had played with
94 VII | quite otherwise with Mme de Langeais. She~continued
95 VII | her conversation with M. de Gondrand on the necessity~
96 VII | that I love you?"~ ~"M. de Montriveau, you cannot claim,
97 VII | were alone together, Mme de~Langeais still lay on her
98 VII | something~incomplete. Mme de Langeais had not said all
99 VII | ought~to say, like Catherine de Medici, when she heard that
100 VII | now?"~ ~"In the Duchesse de Langeais's boudoir, my friend."~ ~"
101 VII | as he came away from Mme de Langeais's, he told himself~
102 VII | in any sense, can I be M. de~Langeais's wife? Can you
103 VII | cannot~listen to you."~ ~Mme de Langeais raised both hands
104 VII | well then, No! The DUCHESSE DE LANGEAIS will not descend
105 VII | all that~was the Duchesse de Langeais will be swallowed
106 VII | heroic in coming to the Hotel de Langeais to spend an~evening
107 VII | a second edition~of Mme de Beauseant. Who can ever
108 VIII| playing with him."~ ~Armand de Montriveau stayed with her
109 VIII| the soldier.~ ~Next day M. de Montriveau went early in
110 VIII| house~not far from the Hotel de Langeais; and the business
111 VIII| houses. This was the Marquis de~Ronquerolles, whose reputation
112 VIII| are you going?" asked M. de Ronquerolles.~ ~"To Mme
113 VIII| Ronquerolles.~ ~"To Mme de Langeais's."~ ~"Ah, true.
114 VIII| it like the late Marechal de Richelieu, and get nothing
115 VIII| the courtyard of~the Hotel de Langeais, went unannounced
116 VIII| untrammelled freedom about Mme de Langeais; a something in
117 VIII| begin to beat. The Marquis de~Ronquerolles's counsels
118 VIII| spring to her~side, when Mme de Langeais rang the bell,
119 VIII| A thousand thanks. M. de Marsay has been beforehand
120 VIII| sure of seeing the~Duchesse de Langeais, and almost despaired
121 VIII| compromised herself with M. de Montriveau. ~Coolness on
122 VIII| abstracted and ill at~ease. M. de Ronquerolles would very
123 VIII| demonstrations; but as it was, Armand de Montriveau~came away from
124 VIII| than the knife in~the Place de la Greve. Steel against
125 VIII| For a week or so Mme de Langeais hoped to see the
126 VIII| hoped to see the Marquis de~Montriveau again; but he
127 VIII| every morning to the Hotel de Langeais. The Duchess could
128 VIII| engendering anything base? Mme de Langeais kept her thoughts
129 VIII| permissible to suppose that M. de~Montriveau was no longer
130 VIII| between them~ ~The Comtesse de Serizy, the Marquis de Ronquerolles'
131 VIII| Comtesse de Serizy, the Marquis de Ronquerolles's sister,~gave
132 VIII| following week, and Mme~de Langeais was sure to go
133 VIII| place beside the Comtesse de Serizy, who could~not help
134 VIII| up at that moment.~ ~Mme de Langeais waltzed that evening
135 VIII| waltz came to an end, Mme~de Langeais went back to her
136 VIII| the man say?" asked Mme de Serizy.~ ~" `Do not touch
137 VIII| Lord Marquis," said Mme de Langeais, "you tell~this
138 VIII| speculation," replied Mme de Serizy.~ ~"Is it permissible
139 VIII| enough to musing over M. de Montriveau's~prediction.
140 VIII| looked round and met Armand de Montriveau's eyes. ~He was
141 VIII| all I have to say."~ ~Mme de Langeais rose to her feet,
142 IX | cannot save the Duchesse de~Langeais. I cannot believe
143 IX | brand her, this Duchesse de Langeais. She~is M. de Montriveau'
144 IX | Duchesse de Langeais. She~is M. de Montriveau's forever! Ah!
145 IX | home, or to go back to Mme~de Serizy's ball? I have done
146 IX | carriage never left Mme de Serizy's courtyard; your
147 IX | suddenly invaded by Love. Mme de Langeais, rejoicing in~this
148 IX | the fire in the~Comtesse de Serizy's boudoir.~ ~She
149 IX | everywhere." It was the Comtesse de Serizy who spoke as she~
150 IX | to~foot!"~ ~The Marquis de Ronquerolles came in.~ ~"
151 IX | shiver violently.~ ~"M. de Montriveau's prophecy has
152 IX | possible that the Duchesse de Langeais should have uttered
153 IX | impossible fancies.~ ~When M. de Montriveau's usual hour
154 IX | time."~ ~For a week, Mme de Langeais went to every house
155 IX | was a~hope of meeting M. de Montriveau. Contrary to
156 IX | despair,~she spoke to Mme de Serizy, and asked as carelessly
157 IX | have quarrelled with M. de Montriveau? He is not to~
158 IX | to think that the Marquis de Ronquerolles was one of
159 IX | acquainted with~him."~ ~Mme de Langeais did not reply.
160 IX | Langeais did not reply. Mme de Serizy concluded from the~
161 IX | wholly by one's senses?~ ~Mme de Serizy's "preferences" had
162 IX | departure, you may be sure~Mme de Langeais saw hope in Armand'
163 IX | had given the letter to M. de Montriveau himself, and
164 IX | half-past eleven~that night M. de Montriveau had not arrived.
165 IX | barbs of irony? Then Mme de Langeais felt~the horror
166 IX | And yet only a Duchesse de Langeais, brought~up by
167 IX | brought~up by Mme la Princesse de Blamont-Chauvry, could have
168 IX | countermarches.~ ~"What did M. de Montriveau reply?" she asked,
169 IX | three weeks went by. Mme de Langeais wrote again and~
170 IX | home to her~father the Duc de Navarreins, her aunt the
171 IX | her aunt the Princesse de~Blamont-Chauvry, the old
172 IX | Blamont-Chauvry, the old Vidame de Pamiers (her maternal~great-uncle),
173 IX | husband's uncle, the Duc de Grandlieu. ~These persons
174 IX | at last to a review. M. de Montriveau was to be~there.
175 IX | frenzy before which Mme de Langeais was forced to bend,
176 IX | day after the review, Mme de Langeais sent her carriage
177 IX | servants to wait at the Marquis de Montriveau's door~from eight
178 IX | Armand lived in the Rue de Tournon, a few steps away
179 IX | first of~these was the Baron de Maulincour. That young officer
180 IX | met~with disdain from Mme de Langeais and a better reception
181 IX | better reception from Mme~de Serizy; he betook himself
182 IX | indulgent interest in Mme de Langeais. Some~among them
183 IX | then," others replied, "Mme de Langeais has been~guilty
184 IX | times. It is~heroic of Mme de Langeais to proclaim herself
185 IX | virtue?" asked the Comtesse de~Granville, the attorney-general'
186 IX | was standing in the Rue de Tournon, and the Duchess
187 IX | was beyond a doubt in M. de Montriveau's rooms, Mme~
188 IX | Montriveau's rooms, Mme~de Langeais, with heavy throbbing
189 IX | moment was walking with M. de Marsay in the Gardens of
190 IX | The elder members, of Mme de Langeais's family were~engaged
191 IX | clock, therefore, M. le Duc de Navarreins, the Vidame~de
192 IX | de Navarreins, the Vidame~de Pamiers, the old Princesse
193 IX | Pamiers, the old Princesse de Blamont-Chauvry, and the
194 IX | Blamont-Chauvry, and the Duc de~Grandlieu were assembled
195 IX | assembled in Mme la Duchesse de Langeais's~drawing-room.
196 IX | by year in the~Almanach de Gotha, wherefore without
197 IX | incomplete.~ ~The Princesse de Blamont-Chauvry, in the
198 IX | could escape the Princesse de~Blamont-Chauvry.~ ~Young
199 IX | chatting with the Vidame de Pamiers, a contemporary
200 IX | like a snake.~ ~The Duc de Navarreins was pacing up
201 IX | down the room with the~Duc de Grandlieu. Both were men
202 IX | true comprehension of M.~de Talleyrand's maxim, "The
203 IX | you~know how the Duchesse de Marigny is?"~ ~"No. I did
204 IX | estate to her~niece, Mme de Soulanges, subject to a
205 IX | Yes, to be sure. The Comte de Montriveau died at St.~Petersburg,"
206 IX | did he eat?" asked the Duc de Grandlieu.~ ~"Ten dozen
207 IX | she can have gone to~M. de Montriveau," said the Duc
208 IX | Montriveau," said the Duc de Navarreins.~ ~"Bah!" returned
209 IX | things; and if the Marquis de Montriveau is a~gentleman,
210 IX | it is not easy to tell M. de Montriveau the~truth to
211 IX | even as she came in,~M. de Grandlieu, looking carelessly
212 IX | believes that you are with M. de Montriveau."~ ~"My dear
213 IX | think that I was with M. de~Montriveau."~ ~The Duke
214 IX | and her eyes~fell. Mme de Chauvry gently drew her
215 IX | should say that I was with M. de~Montriveau this morning.
216 IX | daughters~suitably!" muttered M. de Navarreins, addressing the
217 IX | Duchesse," began the Duc de Grandlieu, "if it were any~
218 IX | arrangements. ~Suppose M. de Montriveau leaves youdear
219 IX | Germany, did I not hear~young de Horn say, after supper, `
220 X | stage," remarked the Duc de~Grandlieu, "but it all amounts
221 X | in the wrong."~ ~The Duc de Navarreins roused himself
222 X | they took their leave. M. de Navarreins kissed his daughter
223 X | There was more passion in M. de Jaucourt's little finger~
224 X | the~mother of future Ducs de Langeais. So mind appearances.
225 X | that you may still be M. de Langeais's wife,~in case
226 X | in~the sermon. When Mme de Chauvry was seated in the
227 X | corner of her~carriage, Mme de Langeais bade her a graceful
228 X | Elysee-Bourbon, the Duc de Navarreins, M. de~Pamiers,
229 X | the Duc de Navarreins, M. de~Pamiers, M. de Marsay, M.
230 X | Navarreins, M. de~Pamiers, M. de Marsay, M. de Grandlieu,
231 X | Pamiers, M. de Marsay, M. de Grandlieu, and the Duc de~
232 X | de Grandlieu, and the Duc de~Maufrigneuse triumphantly
233 X | with regard to the Duchesse de Langeais. So many~officers
234 X | But, at two o'clock, M. de Ronquerolles passed Montriveau
235 X | the fruitless scandal, Mme de Langeais wrote to M.~de
236 X | de Langeais wrote to M.~de Montriveau. That letter,
237 X | measures, and bribed M.~de Montriveau's man, Auguste.
238 X | would give no~answer. Mme de Langeais had bought the
239 X | amid despairing tears, Mme de Langeais took her~resolution.
240 X | she sent~for the Vidame de Pamiers; and while she waited,
241 X | she wrote a~letter to M. de Montriveau. The Vidame punctually
242 X | this letter and go to M. de Montriveau? will you see
243 X | will be over. The Duchesse de Langeais will have vanished
244 X | set eyes on the Duchesse de~Langeais."~ ~The Vicomte
245 X | eight they stood outside M. de Montriveau's door.~ ~Armand
246 X | slighted.~ ~"The Duchesse de la Valliere wept for lost
247 X | power; but the Duchesse de Langeais will be happy that~
248 X | The Vidame went. Mme de Langeais wrapped herself
249 X | started out for the Hotel de Langeais the Duchess~was
250 X | return. ~When the Marquis de Montriveau reached the Hotel
251 X | Montriveau reached the Hotel de Langeais, and~found no trace
252 X | have just come from Mme de~Langeais's house; the servants
253 X | six.--Confound it! ~Mme de Langeais is no ordinary
254 X | Only in 1829 did the Duc de~Navarreins hear by chance
255 X | story.~ ~In 1823 the Duc de Langeais was dead, and his
256 X | wife was free. ~Antoinette de Navarreins was living, consumed
257 X | but English. ~One of M. de Montriveau's companions
258 X | human~genius consists.~ ~M. de Montriveau's companions
259 X | the corridor. Young Henri de Marsay,~the most dexterous
260 X | the chinks of the door. M. de Ronquerolles~came up at
261 X | Neither Montriveau nor de Marsay spoke a word~or uttered
262 X | left alone with Antoinette de~Navarreins. For some hours
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