MadamdeMercoeurreceivedthemwithagreatdealofjoy，andthoughtofnothingbutgivingthemallthepleasuresanddiversionsofthecountry；oneday，astheywerehuntingastag，theDukedeNemourslosthimselfintheforest，anduponenquiringhiswaywastoldhewasnearColomiers；atthatword，Colomiers，withoutfurtherreflection，orsomuchasknowingwhatdesignhewasupon，hegallopedonfullspeedthewaythathadbeenshowedhim；asherodealonghecamebychancetothemade-waysandwalks，whichhejudgedledtothecastle：attheendofthesewalkshefoundapavilion，atthelowerendofwhichwasalargeroomwithtwoclosets，theoneopeningintoaflower-garden，andtheotherlookingintoaspaciouswalkinthepark；heenteredthepavilion，andwouldhavestoppedtoobservethebeautyofit，ifhehadnotseeninthewalkthePrinceandPrincessofCleves，attendedwithanumeroustrainoftheirdomestics。AshedidnotexpecttomeetMonsieurdeClevesthere，whomhehadleftwiththeKing，hethoughtatfirstofhidinghimself；heenteredtheclosetwhichlookedintotheflower-garden，withdesigntogooutthatwaybyadoorwhichopenedtotheforest；butobservingMadamdeClevesandherhusbandweresatdownunderthepavilion，andthattheirattendantsstayedinthepark，andcouldnotcometohimwithoutpassingbytheplacewhereMonsieurandMadamdeCleveswere，hecouldnotdenyhimselfthepleasureofseeingthisPrincess，norresistthecuriosityhehadtohearherconversationwithahusband，whogavehimmorejealousythananyofhisrivals。HeheardMonsieurdeClevessaytohiswife，\"ButwhywillyounotreturntoParis？Whatcankeepyouhereinthecountry？Youhaveoflatetakenafancyforsolitude，atwhichIambothsurprisedandconcerned，becauseitdeprivesmeofyourcompany：
Ifindtoo，youaremoremelancholythanusual，andIamafraidyouhavesomecauseofgrief。\"\"Ihavenothingtotroublemymind，\"answeredshewithanairofconfusion，\"butthereissuchabustleatCourt，andsuchamultitudeofpeoplealwaysatyourhouse，thatitisimpossiblebutbothbodyandmindshouldbefatigued，andonecannotbutdesirerepose。\"\"Repose，\"
answeredhe，\"isnotveryproperforoneofyourage；youareathome，andatCourt，insuchamannerascannotoccasionweariness，andIamratherafraidyoudesiretoliveapartfromme。\"\"Youwoulddomegreatwrongtothinkso，\"repliedshewithyetmoreconfusion，\"butIbegyoutoleavemehere；ifyoucouldstayhere，andwithoutcompany，Ishouldbeverygladofit；nothingwouldbemoreagreeabletomethanyourconversationinthisretirement，providedyouwouldapprovenottohaveaboutyouthatinfinitenumberofpeople，whoinamannerneverleaveyou。\"\"Ah！Madam，\"criesMonsieurdeCleves，\"bothyourlooksandwordsconvincemethatyouhavereasonstodesiretobealone，whichIdon’tknow；Iconjureyoutotellthemme。\"Heurgedheragreatwhiletoinformhim，withoutbeingabletoobligehertoit；andaftershehadexcusedherselfinamannerwhichstillincreasedherhusband’scuriosity，shecontinuedinadeepsilence，withhereyescastdownthen，takingupthediscourseonasudden，andlookinguponhim，\"Forcemenot，\"
saidshe，\"toconfessathingtoyouwhichIhavenotthepowertoconfess，thoughIhaveoftendesignedit；rememberonly，thatitisnotprudentawomanofmyyears，andmistressofherownconduct，shouldremainexposedinthemidstofaCourt。\"\"Whatisit，Madam，\"criedMonsieurdeCleves，\"thatyouleadmetoimagine？Idarenotspeakit，forfearofoffendingyou。\"
MadamdeClevesmakingnoanswer，hersilenceconfirmedherhusbandinwhathethought；\"Yousaynothingtome，\"sayshe，\"andthattellsmeclearly，thatIamnotmistaken。\"\"Alas，sir，\"answeredshe，fallingonherknees，\"Iamgoingtomakeaconfessiontoyou，suchasnowomaneveryetmadetoherhusband；
buttheinnocenceofmyintentions，andofmyconduct，givemepowertodoit；itistrue，IhavereasonstoabsentmyselffromCourt，andIwouldavoidthedangerspersonsofmyagearesometimesliableto；Ihavenevershownanymarkofweakness，andIcannotapprehendIevershall，ifyouwillpermitmetoretirefromCourt，sincenowIhavenotMadamdeChartrestoassistmeinmyconduct；howeverdangerousastepIamtaking，Itakeitwithpleasuretopreservemyselfworthyofyou；Iaskyouathousandpardons，ifIhavesentimentswhichdispleaseyou，atleastIwillneverdispleaseyoubymyactions；consider，thattodowhatIdo，requiresmorefriendshipandesteemforahusbandthaneverwifehad；directmyconduct，havepityonme，andifyoucanstillloveme。\"
MonsieurdeCleves，allthewhileshespoke，continuedleaninghisheadonhishand，almostbesidehimself，andneverthoughtofraisingherup。Whenshehaddonespeaking，andhecasthiseyesuponher，andsawheronherkneeswithherfacedrownedintears，inimitablybeautiful，hewasreadytodieforgrief，andtakingherupinhisarms，\"Haveyoupityonme，Madam，\"sayshe，\"forIdeserveit，andpardonme，ifinthefirstmomentsofanafflictionsoviolentasmine，IdonotanswerasIoughttosogenerousaproceedingasyours；Ithinkyoumoreworthyofesteemandadmirationthananywomanthateverwas，butIfindmyselfalsothemostunfortunateofmen：youinspiredmewithpassionthefirstmomentIsawyou，andthatpassionhasneverdecayed；notyourcoldness，norevenenjoymentitself，hasbeenabletoextinguishit；itstillcontinuesinitsfirstforce，andyetithasnotbeeninmypowertokindleinyourbreastanysparkofloveforme，andnowIfindyoufearyouhaveaninclinationforanother；andwhoishe，Madam，thishappymanthatgivesyousuchapprehensions？Howlonghashecharmedyou？
Whathashedonetocharmyou？Whatmethodhashetakentogetintoyourheart？WhenIcouldnotgainyouraffectionsmyself，itwassomecomforttometothink，thatnoothercouldgainthem；inthemeantime，anotherhaseffectedwhatIcouldnot，andIhaveatoncethejealousyofahusbandandlover。Butitisimpossibleformetoretainthatofahusbandaftersuchaproceedingonyourpart，whichistoonobleandingenuousnottogivemeanentiresecurity；itevencomfortsmeasalover；thesincerityyouhaveexpressed，andtheconfidenceyouhaveplacedinmeareofinfinitevalue：youhaveesteemenoughformetobelieveIshallnotabusetheconfessionyouhavemadetome；youareintheright，Madam，Iwillnotabuseit，orloveyouthelessforit；youmakemeunhappybythegreatestmarkoffidelityeverwomangaveherhusband；butgoon，Madam，andinformmewhoheiswhomyouwouldavoid。\"\"Ibegyounottoaskme，\"
repliedshe；\"Iamresolvednottotellyou，nordoIthinkitprudenttonamehim。\"\"Fearnot，Madam，\"repliedMonsieurdeCleves，\"Iknowtheworldtoowelltobeignorantthatawoman’shavingahusbanddoesnothinderpeoplefrombeinginlovewithher；suchloversmaybetheobjectsofone’shatred，butwearenottocomplainofit；onceagain，Madam，IconjureyoutotellmewhatIsomuchdesiretoknow。\"\"Itisinvaintopressme，\"repliedshe，\"IhavethepowertobesilentinwhatI
thinkIoughtnottotell；theconfessionImadetoyouwasnotowingtoanyweakness，anditrequiredmorecouragetodeclaresuchatruththanitwouldhavedonetoconcealit。\"
TheDukedeNemoursdidnotloseawordofthisconversation，andwhatMadamdeCleveshadsaidgavehimnolessjealousythanherhusband；hewassodesperatelyinlovewithher，thathebelievedalltheworldwassotoo；itistrue，hehadmanyrivals，yethefanciedthemstillmore，andhisthoughtswanderedtofindoutwhoitwasMadamdeClevesmeant：hehadoftenthoughthewasnotdisagreeabletoher，butthegroundsofhisjudgmentonthisoccasionappearedsoslight，thathecouldnotimaginehehadraisedinherheartapassionviolentenoughtoobligehertohaverecoursetosoextraordinaryaremedy；hewassotransported，thathescarceknewwhathesaw，andhecouldnotpardonMonsieurdeClevesfornothavingpressedhiswifeenoughtotellhimthenameofthepersonsheconcealedfromhim。
MonsieurdeClevesneverthelessusedhisutmostendeavourstoknowit；andhavingurgedherverymuchonthesubject；\"I
think，\"answeredshe，\"thatyououghttobesatisfiedwithmysincerity；askmenomoreaboutit，anddon’tgivemecausetorepentofwhatIhavedone；contentyourselfwiththeassurancewhichIoncemoregiveyou，thatmysentimentshaveneverappearedbyanyofmyactions，andthatnoaddresshathbeenmadetomethatcouldgivemeoffence。\"\"Ah！Madam，\"repliedMonsieurdeClevesonasudden，\"Icannotbelieveit；Iremembertheconfusionyouwasinwhenyourpicturewaslost；youhavegivenaway，Madam，youhavegivenawaythatpicture，whichwassodeartome，andwhichIhadsojustarightto；youhavenotbeenabletoconcealyourinclinations，youareinlove；itisknown；
yourvirtuehashithertosavedyoufromtherest。\"\"Isitpossible，\"criedMadamdeCleves，\"youcanimaginetherewasanyreserveordisguiseinaconfessionlikemine，whichIwasnowayobligedto？Takemyword，IpurchasedearlytheconfidenceI
desireofyou；IconjureyoutobelieveIhavenotgivenawaymypicture；itistrue，Isawittaken，butIwouldnotseemtoseeit，forfearofsubjectingmyselftohearsuchthingsasnoonehasyetdaredtomentiontome。\"\"Howdoyouknowthenthatyouareloved，\"saidMonsieurdeCleves？\"Whatmark，whatproofofithasbeengivenyou？\"\"Sparemethepain，\"repliedshe，\"ofrepeatingtoyoucircumstanceswhichIamashamedtohaveobserved，andwhichhaveconvincedmebuttoomuchofmyownweakness。\"\"Youareintheright，Madam，\"answeredhe，\"Iamunjust；alwaysrefusemewhenIaskyousuchthings，andyetdon’tbeangrywithmeforaskingthem。\"
Justthenseveraloftheservants，whohadstayedinthewalks，cametoacquaintMonsieurdeCleves，thatagentlemanwasarrivedfromtheKing，withordersforhimtobeatParisthatevening。
MonsieurdeCleveswasobligedtogo，andhadonlytimetotellhiswifethathedesiredhertocometoParisthenextday；andthatheconjuredhertobelieve，thathoweverafflictedhewas，hehadatendernessandesteemforher，withwhichsheoughttobesatisfied。
Whenhewasgone，andMadamdeClevesbeingalone，consideredwhatshehaddone，shewassofrightenedatthethoughtofit，shecouldhardlybelieveittobetrue。Shefoundshehaddeprivedherselfoftheheartandesteemofherhusband，andwasinvolvedinalabyrinthsheshouldnevergetoutof；sheaskedherselfwhyshehadventuredonsodangerousastep，andperceivedshewasengagedinitalmostwithouthavingdesignedit；thesingularityofsuchaconfession，forwhichshesawnoprecedent，madeherfullysensibleofherdanger。
Butontheotherhand，whenshecametothinkthatthisremedy，howeverviolentitwas，wastheonlyeffectualoneshecouldmakeuseofagainstMonsieurdeNemours，shefoundshehadnocausetorepent，ortobelieveshehadventuredtoofar；shepassedthewholenightfullofdoubts，anxietyandfear；butatlastherspiritsgrewcalmagain；sheevenfeltapleasureariseinhermind，fromasenseofhavinggivensuchaproofoffidelitytoahusbandwhodeserveditsowell，whohadsogreatafriendshipandesteemforher，andhadsolatelymanifesteditbythemannerinwhichhereceivedtheconfessionshehadmadehim。
InthemeantimeMonsieurdeNemourswasgoneawayfromtheplace，inwhichhehadoverheardaconversationwhichsosensiblyaffectedhim，andwasgotdeepintotheforest；whatMadamdeClevessaidofherpicturehadrevivedhim，sinceitwascertainfromthencethathewasthepersonshehadaninclinationfor；atfirsthegavealeapofjoy，buthisraptureswereatanendassoonashebegantoreflect，thatthesamethingthatconvincedhimhehadtouchedtheheartofMadamdeCleves，oughttoconvincehimalsothatheshouldneverreceiveanymarksofit，andthatitwouldbeimpossibletoengagealadywhohadrecoursetosoextraordinaryaremedy；andyethecouldnotbutbesensiblypleasedtohavereducedhertothatextremity；hethoughtitgloriousforhimtohavegainedtheaffectionsofawomansodifferentfromtherestofhersex；inaword，hethoughthimselfveryhappyandveryunhappyatthesametime。Hewasbenightedintheforest，andwasverymuchputtoittofindhiswayagaintohissister’stheDuchessofMercoeur；hearrivedthereatbreakofday，andwasextremelyatalosswhataccounttogiveofhisabsence，buthemadeoutthematteraswellashecould，andreturnedthatverydaytoPariswiththeViscount。
TheDukewassotakenupwithhispassion，andsosurprisedattheconversationhehadheard，thathefellintoanindiscretionverycommon，whichis，tospeakone’sownparticularsentimentsingeneralterms，andtorelateone’sproperadventuresunderborrowednames。Astheyweretravellinghebegantotalkoflove，andexaggeratedthepleasureofbeinginlovewithapersonthatdeservedit；hespokeofthefantasticaleffectsofthispassion，andatlastnotbeingabletocontainwithinhimselftheadmirationhewasinattheactionofMadamdeCleves，herelatedittotheViscountwithoutnamingtheperson，orowninghehadanyshareinit；buthetolditwithsomuchwarmthandsurprise，thattheViscounteasilysuspectedthestoryconcernedhimself。
TheViscounturgedhimverymuchtoconfessit，andtoldhimhehadknownagreatwhilethathewasviolentlyinlove，andthatitwasunjustinhimtoshowadistrustofamanwhohadcommittedtohimasecretonwhichhislifedepended。TheDukedeNemourswastoomuchinlovetoownit，andhadalwaysconcealeditfromtheViscount，thoughhevaluedhimthemostofanymanatCourt；heansweredthatoneofhisfriendshadtoldhimthisadventure，andmadehimpromisenottospeakofit；andhealsoconjuredtheViscounttokeepthesecret：theViscountassuredhimhewouldsaynothingofitbutnotwithstandingMonsieurdeNemoursrepentedthathehadtoldhimsomuch。
InthemeantimeMonsieurdeCleveswasgonetotheKing，withaheartfullofsorrowandaffliction。Neverhadhusbandsoviolentapassionforhiswife，orsogreatanesteem；whatshehadtoldhimdidnottakeawayhisesteemofher，butmadeitofadifferentnaturefromthathehadhadbefore；whatchieflyemployedhisthoughts，wasadesiretoguesswhoitwasthathadfoundoutthesecrettowinherheart；theDukedeNemourswasthefirstpersonhethoughtofonthisoccasion，asbeingthehandsomestmanatCourt；andtheChevalierdeGuise，andtheMareschaldeSt。Andreoccurrednext，astwopersonswhohadmadeittheirendeavourtogetherlove，andwhowerestillveryassiduousincourtingher，sothathewasfullypersuadeditmustbeoneofthethree。HearrivedattheLouvre，andtheKingcarriedhimintohisclosettoinformhimhehadmadechoiceofhimtoconductMadameintoSpain，andthathebelievednobodycouldacquithimselfbetterofthatcharge，northatanyladywoulddoFrancegreaterhonourthanMadamdeCleves。MonsieurdeClevesreceivedthehonourtheKinghaddonehimbythischoicewiththerespectheought，andheconsidereditalsoaswhatwouldtakehiswifefromCourt，withoutleavingroomtosuspectanychangeinherconduct；buttheembarrassmenthewasunderrequiredaspeedierremedythanthatjourney，whichwastobedeferredagreatwhile，couldafford；heimmediatelywrotetoMadamdeClevestoacquaintherwithwhattheKinghadtoldhim，andgavehertounderstandheabsolutelyexpectedsheshouldreturntoParis。Shereturnedaccordingtohisorders，andwhentheymet，theyfoundoneanotheroverwhelmedwithmelancholy。
MonsieurdeClevesspoketoher，asamanofthegreatesthonourintheworld，andthebestdeservingtheconfidenceshehadreposedinhim；\"Iamnotalarmedastoyourconduct，\"saidhe，\"youhavemorestrengthandvirtuethanyouimagine；Iamnotalarmedwithfearsofwhatmayhappenhereafter；whattroublesmeisthatIseeyouhavethosesentimentsforanotherwhichyouwantforme。\"\"Idon’tknowwhattoansweryou，\"saidshe，\"IdiewithshamewhenIspeakofthissubjectspareme，I
conjureyou，suchcruelconversations；regulatemyconduct，andneverletmeseeanybody；thisisallIdesireofyou；buttakeitnotillofme，ifIspeaknomoreofathingwhichmakesmeappearsolittleworthyofyou，andwhichIthinksounbecomingme。\"\"Youareintheright，Madam；\"repliedhe，\"Iabuseyourgoodnessandyourconfidenceinme；buthavesomecompassionalsoontheconditionyouhavebroughtmeto，andthinkthatwhateveryouhavetoldme，youconcealfrommeaname，whichcreatesinmeacuriosityIcannotlivewithoutsatisfying；andyetIaskyounottosatisfyit；Icannot，however，forbeartellingyou，thatIbelievethemanIamtoenvyistheMareschaldeSt。Andre，theDukedeNemours，ortheChevalierdeGuise。\"
\"Ishallmakeyounoanswer，\"sayssheblushing，\"norgiveyouanygroundfromwhatIsay，eithertolessenorstrengthenyoursuspicions；butifyouendeavourtoinformyourselfbyobservingme，youwillthrowmeintoaconfusionalltheworldwilltakenoticeof，forGod’ssake，\"continuedshe，\"allowmeunderpretenceofanindispositiontoseenobody。\"\"No，Madam，\"
saidhe，\"itwillquicklybediscoveredtobeafeignedbusiness；andbesides，Iamunwillingtotrustyoutoanythingbutyourself；myhearttellsmethisisthebestwayIcantake，andmyreasontellsmesoalso，consideringthetemperofmindyouarein，Icannotputagreaterrestraintuponyouthanbyleavingyoutoyourliberty。\"
MonsieurdeCleveswasnotmistaken；theconfidenceheshowedhehadinhiswife，fortifiedherthemoreagainstMonsieurdeNemours，andmadehertakemoresevereresolutionsthananyrestraintcouldhavebroughtherto。ShewenttowaitontheQueen-DauphinattheLouvreassheusedtodo，butavoidedthepresenceandeyesofMonsieurdeNemourswithsomuchcare，thatshedeprivedhimofalmostallthejoyhehadinthinkingshelovedhim；hesawnothinginheractionsbutwhatseemedtoshowthecontrary；hescarcelyknewifwhathehadheardwasnotadream，soveryimprobableitseemedtohim；theonlythingwhichassuredhimthathewasnotmistaken，wasMadamdeCleves’sextrememelancholy，whichappeared，whateverpainsshetooktohideit；andperhapskindwordsandlookswouldnothaveincreasedtheDukeofNemours’slovesomuchasthissevereconductdid。
Oneevening，asMonsieurandMadamdeCleveswereattheQueen’sapartment，itwassaidtherewasareportthattheKingwouldnameanothergreatlordtowaitonMadameintoSpain。MonsieurdeCleveshadhiseyefixedonhiswife，whenitwasfurthersaid，theChevalierdeGuise，ortheMareschaldeSt。Andre，wastheperson；heobservedshewasnotatallmovedateitherofthosenames，northediscourseoftheirgoingalongwithher；
thismadehimbelieve，itwasnoteitherofthemwhosepresenceshefeared。Inordertoclearuphissuspicions，hewentintotheQueen’scloset，wheretheKingthenwas，andafterhavingstayedtheresometimecamebacktohiswife，andwhisperedher，thathehadjustheardtheDukedeNemourswasthepersondesignedtogoalongwiththemtoSpain。
ThenameoftheDukedeNemours，andthethoughtofbeingexposedtoseehimeveryday，duringaverylongjourney，inherhusband’spresence，soaffectedMadamdeCleves，thatshecouldnotconcealhertrouble：andbeingwillingtogiveotherreasonsforit，\"Nochoice，\"saysshe，\"couldhavebeenmademoredisagreeableforyou；hewillshareallhonourswithyou，andI
thinkyououghttoendeavourtogetsomeotherchosen。\"\"Itisnothonour，Madam，\"repliedMonsieurdeCleves，\"thatmakesyouapprehensiveoftheDukedeNemours’sgoingwithme，theuneasinessyouareinproceedsfromanothercause；andfromthisuneasinessofyoursIlearn，thatwhichIshouldhavediscoveredinanotherwoman，bythejoyshewouldhaveexpressedonsuchanoccasion；butbenotafraid；whatIhavetoldyouisnottrue，itwasaninventionofminetoassuremyselfofathingwhichI
alreadybelievedbuttoomuch。\"
Havingsaidthis，hewentout，beingunwillingtoincrease，byhispresence，theconcernhesawhiswifein。
TheDukedeNemourscameinthatinstant，andpresentlyobservedMadamdeCleves’scondition；hecameuptoher，andtoldhersoftly，hehadthatrespectforher，hedurstnotaskwhatitwasmadehermorepensivethanusual。ThevoiceoftheDukedeNemoursbroughthertoherselfagain，andlookingathim，withouthavingheardwhathehadsaidtoher，fullofherownthoughts，andafraidlestherhusbandshouldseehimwithher，\"ForGod’ssake，\"saysshe，\"leavemetomyselfinquiet。\"\"Alas，Madam，\"answeredhe，\"Idisturbyoutoolittle；whatisityoucancomplainof？Idarenotspeaktoyou，Idarenotlookuponyou，ItremblewheneverIapproachyou。HowhaveIdrawnuponmyselfwhatyouhavesaidtome，andwhydoyoushowmethatIaminpartthecauseofthetroubleIseeyouin？\"MadamdeCleveswasverysorrytohavegiventheDukeanopportunityofexplaininghimselfmoreclearlythaneverhehaddonebefore；shelefthimwithoutmakinganyanswer，andwenthomewithhermindmoreagitatedthanever。Herhusbandperceivedherconcernwasincreased，andthatshewasafraidhewouldspeaktoherofwhathadpassed，andfollowedherintohercloset；\"Donotshunme，Madam，\"sayshe，\"Iwillsaynothingtoyouthatshalldispleaseyou；IaskpardonforthesurpriseIgaveyouawhileago；IamsufficientlypunishedbywhatIhavelearntfromit；
theDukedeNemourswasofallmenhewhomImostfeared；Iseethedangeryouarein；commandyourselfforyourownsake，and，ifitispossible，formine；Idonotaskthisofyouasahusband，butasamanwhosehappinesswhollydependsonyou，andwholovesyoumoreviolentlyandmoretenderlythanhewhomyourheartpreferstome。\"MonsieurdeCleveswasmelteduponspeakingthesewords，andcouldscarcemakeanendofthem；hiswifewassomoved，sheburstintotears，andembracedhimwithatendernessandsorrowthatputhimintoaconditionnotverydifferentfromherown；theycontinuedsilentawhile，andpartedwithouthavingthepowertospeaktooneanother。
AllthingswerereadyforthemarriageofMadame，andtheDukeofAlvawasarrivedtoespouseher；hewasreceivedwithalltheceremonyandmagnificencethatcouldbedisplayedonsuchanoccasion；theKingsenttomeethimthePrinceofConde，theCardinalsofLoraineandGuise，theDukesofLoraineandFerrara，d’Aumale，deBouillon，deGuise，anddeNemours；theyhadagreatnumberofgentlemen，andagreatmanypagesinlivery；theKinghimself，attendedwithtwohundredgentlemen，andtheConstableattheirhead，receivedtheDukeofAlvaatthefirstgateoftheLouvre；theDukewouldhavekneeleddown，buttheKingrefusedit，andmadehimwalkbyhissidetotheQueen’sapartment，andtoMadame’s，towhomtheDukeofAlvahadbroughtamagnificentpresentfromhismaster；hewentthencetotheapartmentofMadamMargarettheKing’ssister，tocomplimentheronthepartoftheDukeofSavoy，andtoassureherhewouldarriveinafewdays；
thereweregreatassembliesattheLouvre，theshowtheDukeofAlva，andthePrinceofOrangewhoaccompaniedhim，thebeautiesoftheCourt。
MadamdeClevescouldnotdispensewithgoingtotheseassemblies，howeverdesirousshewastobeabsent，forfearofdisobligingherhusband，whoabsolutelycommandedhertobethere；andwhatyetmoreinducedhertoit，wastheabsenceoftheDukedeNemours；hewasgonetomeettheDukeofSavoy，andafterthearrivalofthatPrince，hewasobligedtobealmostalwayswithhim，toassisthimineverythingrelatingtotheceremoniesofthenuptials；forthisreasonMadamdeClevesdidnotmeethimsooftenassheusedtodo，whichgavehersomesortofease。
TheViscountdeChartreshadnotforgottheconversationhehadhadwiththeDukedeNemours：itstillraninhismindthattheadventuretheDukehadrelatedtohimwashisown；andheobservedhimsocarefullythatitisprobablehewouldhaveunravelledthebusiness，ifthearrivaloftheDukeofAlvaandoftheDukeofSavoyhadnotmadesuchanalterationintheCourt，andfilleditwithsomuchbusiness，asleftnoopportunitiesforadiscoveryofthatnature；thedesirehehadtogetsomeinformationaboutit，orratherthenaturaldispositiononehastorelatealloneknowstothoseoneloves，madehimacquaintMadamdeMartigueswiththeextraordinaryactionofthatpersonwhohadconfessedtoherhusbandthepassionshehadforanother；heassuredhertheDukedeNemourswasthemanwhohadinspiredsoviolentalove，andbeggedherassistanceinobservinghim。MadamdeMartigueswasgladtohearwhattheViscounttoldher，andthecuriosityshehadalwaysobservedintheQueen-DauphinforwhatconcernedtheDukedeNemoursmadeheryetmoredesiroustosearchintothebottomoftheaffair。
Afewdaysbeforethatwhichwasfixedfortheceremonyofthemarriage，theQueen-DauphinentertainedatsuppertheKingherfather-in-law，andtheDuchessofValentinois。MadamdeCleves，whohadbeenbusyindressingherself，wenttotheLouvrelaterthanordinary；asshewasgoing，shemetagentlemanthatwascomingfromtheQueen-Dauphintofetchher；assoonassheenteredtheroom，thatPrincess，whowassittinguponherbed，toldheraloud，thatshehadexpectedherwithgreatimpatience。
\"Ibelieve，Madam，\"answeredshe，\"thatIamnotobligedtoyouforit，andthatyourimpatiencewascausedbysomethingelse，andnotyourdesiretoseeme。\"\"Youareintheright，\"
answeredtheQueen-Dauphin，\"but，nevertheless，youareobligedtome；forI’lltellyouanadventure，whichIamsureyou’llbegladtoknow。\"
MadamdeCleveskneeledatherbedside，and，veryluckilyforher，withherfacefromthelight：\"Youknow，\"saidtheQueen，\"howdesirouswehavebeentofindoutwhathadcausedsogreatachangeintheDukedeNemours；IbelieveIknowit，anditiswhatwillsurpriseyou；heisdesperatelyinlovewith，andasmuchbelovedby，oneofthefinestladiesoftheCourt。\"ItiseasytoimaginethegriefMadamdeClevesfeltuponhearingthesewords，whichshecouldnotapplytoherself，sinceshethoughtnobodyknewanythingofherpassionfortheDuke；\"Iseenothingextraordinaryinthat，\"repliedshe，\"consideringhowyoungandhandsomeamantheDukedeNemoursis。\"\"No，\"repliedtheQueen-Dauphin，\"thereisnothingextraordinaryinit；butwhatwillsurpriseyouis，thatthislady，whoisinlovewiththeDukedeNemours，hasnevergivenhimanymarkofit，andthatthefearshewasinlestsheshouldnotalwaysbemistressofherpassion，hasmadeherconfessittoherhusband，thathemaytakeherawayfromCourt；anditistheDukedeNemourshimselfwhohasrelatedwhatItellyou。\"
IfMadamdeCleveswasgrievedatfirstthroughthethoughtthatshehadnoconcerninthisadventure，theQueen-Dauphin’slastwordsthrewherintoanagony，bymakingitcertainshehadtoomuchinit；shecouldnotanswer，butcontinuedleaningherheadonthebed；meanwhiletheQueenwenton，andwassointentonwhatshewassaying，thatshetooknonoticeofherembarrassment。WhenMadamdeCleveswasalittlecometoherself，\"Thisstory，Madam，\"saysshe，\"doesnotseemveryprobabletome，andIshouldbegladtoknowwhotoldityou。\"
\"ItwasMadamdeMartigues，\"repliedtheQueen-Dauphin，\"andshehearditfromtheViscountdeChartres；youknowtheViscountisinlovewithher；heentrustedthismattertoherasasecret，andhewastolditbytheDukedeNemourshimself；itistruetheDukedidnottellthelady’sname，noracknowledgethathewasthepersonshewasinlovewith，buttheViscountmakesnomannerofquestionofit。\"WhentheQueen-Dauphinhaddonespeaking，somebodycameuptothebed；MadamdeCleveswassoplacedthatshecouldnotseewhoitwas，butshewaspresentlyconvinced，whentheQueen-Dauphincriedoutwithanairofgaietyandsurprise，\"Hereheishimself，I’llaskhimwhatthereisinit。\"MadamdeClevesknewverywellitwastheDukedeNemours，withoutturningherself，asitreallywas；uponwhichshewentuphastilytotheQueen-Dauphin，andtoldhersoftly，thatsheoughttobecautiousofspeakingtohimofthisadventure，whichhehadentrustedtotheViscountdeChartresasasecret，andthatitwasathingwhichmightcreateaquarrelbetweenthem。\"Youaretoowise，\"saidtheQueen-Dauphinsmiling，andturnedtotheDukedeNemours。Hewasdressedfortheeveningassembly，andtakingupthediscoursewiththatgracewhichwasnaturaltohim，\"Ibelieve，Madam，\"sayshe，\"ImayventuretothinkyouwerespeakingofmeasIcamein，thatyouhadadesigntoaskmesomething，andthatMadamdeClevesisagainstit。\"\"Itistrue，\"repliedtheQueen-Dauphin，\"butIshallnotbesocomplaisanttoheronthisoccasionasIwasusedtobe；Iwouldknowofyou，whetherastoryIhavebeentoldistrue，andwhetheryouarenotthepersonwhoisinlovewith，andbelovedbyaladyoftheCourt，whoendeavourstoconcealherpassionfromyou，andhasconfessedittoherhusband。\"
TheconcernandconfusionMadamdeCleveswasinwasaboveallthatcanbeimagined，andifdeathitselfcouldhavedrawnheroutofthiscondition，shewouldhavegladlyembracedit；buttheDukedeNemourswasyetmoreembarrassedifpossible：thediscourseoftheQueen-Dauphin，bywhomhehadreasontobelievehewasnothated，inthepresenceofMadamdeCleves，whowasconfidedinbyhermorethananybodyoftheCourt，andwhoconfidedmoreinher，threwhimintosuchconfusionandextravaganceofthought，thatitwasimpossibleforhimtobemasterofhiscountenance：theconcernhesawMadamdeClevesinthroughhisfault，andthethoughtofhavinggivenherjustcausetohatehim，soshockedhimhecouldnotspeakaword。TheQueen-Dauphin，seeinghowthunderstruckshewas，\"Lookuponhim，lookuponhim，\"saidshetoMadamdeCleves，\"andjudgeifthisadventurebenothisown。\"
InthemeantimetheDukedeNemours，findingofwhatimportanceitwastohimtoextricatehimselfoutofsodangerousadifficulty，recoveredhimselffromhisfirstsurprise，andbecameatoncemasterofhiswitandlooks。\"Iacknowledge，Madam，\"
saidhe，\"itisimpossibletobemoresurprisedandconcernedthanIwasatthetreacheryoftheViscountdeChartres，inrelatinganadventureofafriendofmine，whichIhadinconfidenceimpartedtohim。Iknowhowtoberevengedofhim，\"
continuedhe，smilingwithacalmair，whichremovedthesuspicionstheQueen-Dauphinhadentertainedofhim：\"Hehasentrustedmewiththingsofnoverysmallimportance；butIdon’tknow，Madam，whyyoudomethehonourtomakemeapartyinthisaffair。TheViscountcan’tsayIamconcernedinit，forItoldhimthecontrary；Imayverywellbetakentobeamaninlove，butIcannotbelieve，Madam，youwillthinkmeofthenumberofthosewhoarelovedagain。\"TheDukewasgladtosayanythingtotheQueen-Dauphin，whichalludedtotheinclinationhehadexpressedforherformerly，inordertodivertherthoughtsfromthesubjectinquestion。Sheimaginedsheunderstoodwellenoughthedriftofwhathesaid，butwithoutmakinganyanswertoit，shecontinuedtorallyhimupontheembarrassmenthewasin。\"I
wasconcerned，Madam，\"saidhe，\"fortheinterestofmyfriend，andonaccountofthejustreproacheshemightmakemeforhavingtoldasecretwhichisdearertohimthanlife。Hehasneverthelessentrustedmebutwithonehalfofit，andhasnottoldmethenameofthepersonheloves；allIknowis，thathe’sthemostdeeplyinloveofanymanintheworld，andhasthemostreasontocomplain。\"\"Doyouthinkhehasreasontocomplain，\"repliedtheQueen-Dauphin，\"whenheislovedagain？\"\"Doyoubelieveheis，Madam，\"repliedhe，\"andthatapersonwhohadarealpassioncoulddiscoverittoherhusband？
Thatlady，doubtless，isnotacquaintedwithlove，andhasmistakenforitaslightacknowledgmentofthefondnessherloverhadforher。Myfriendcan’tflatterhimselfwiththelenthopes；but，unfortunateasheis，hethinkshimselfhappyatleastinhavingmadeherafraidoffallinginlovewithhim，andhewouldnotchangehisconditionforthatofthehappiestloverintheworld。\"\"Yourfriendhasapassionveryeasytobesatisfied，\"saidtheQueen-Dauphin，\"andIbegintobelieveitisnotyourselfyouarespeakingof；Iamalmost，\"continuedshe，\"oftheopinionofMadamdeCleves，whomaintainsthatthisstorycannotbetrue。\"\"Idon’treallybelieveitcanbetrue，\"answeredMadamdeCleves，whohadbeensilenthitherto；
\"andthoughitwerepossibletobetrue，howshouldithavebeenknown？Itisveryunlikelythatawoman，capableofsoextraordinaryaresolution，wouldhavetheweaknesstopublishit；andsurelyherhusbandwouldnothavetolditneither，orhemustbeahusbandveryunworthytohavebeendealtwithinsogenerousamanner。\"TheDukedeNemours，whoperceivedthesuspicionsMadamdeCleveshadofherhusband，wasgladtoconfirmherinthem，knowinghewasthemostformidablerivalhehadtoovercome。\"Jealousy，\"saidhe，\"andacuriosityperhapsofknowingmorethanawifehasthoughtfittodiscover，maymakeahusbanddoagreatmanyimprudentthings。\"
MadamdeCleveswasputtothelastproofofherpowerandcourage，andnotbeingabletoenduretheconversationanylonger，shewasgoingtosayshewasnotwell，whenbygoodfortuneforhertheDuchessofValentinoiscamein，andtoldtheQueen-DauphinthattheKingwasjustcoming；theQueen-Dauphinwentintotheclosettodressherself，andtheDukedeNemourscameuptoMadamdeClevesasshewasfollowingher。\"Iwouldgivemylife，Madam，\"saidhe，\"tohaveamoment’sconversationwithyou；butthoughIhaveaworldofimportantthingstosaytoyou，Ithinknothingismoreso，thantoentreatyoutobelieve，thatifIhavesaidanythinginwhichtheQueen-Dauphinmayseemconcerned，Ididitforreasonswhichdonotrelatetoher。\"
MadamdeClevespretendednottohearhim，andlefthimwithoutgivinghimalook，andwenttowardstheKing，whowasjustcomein。Astherewereabundanceofpeoplethere，shetroduponhergown，andmadeafalsestep，whichservedherasanexcusetogooutofaplaceshehadnotthepowertostayin，andsopretendingtohavereceivedsomehurtshewenthome。
MonsieurdeClevescametotheLouvre，andwassurprisednottofindhiswifethere；theytoldhimoftheaccidentthathadbefallenher，andhewentimmediatelyhometoenquireafterher；
hefoundherinbed，andperceivedherhurtwasnotconsiderable。
Whenhehadbeensometimewithher，hefoundhersoexcessivemelancholythathewassurprisedatit；\"Whatailsyou，Madam？\"
sayshe；\"youseemtohavesomeothergriefthanthatwhichyoucomplainof。\"\"IfeelthemostsensiblegriefIcaneverexperience，\"answeredshe；\"whatusehaveyoumadeofthatextraordinary，orratherfoolishconfidencewhichIplacedinyou？DidnotIdeservetohavemysecretkept？andthoughIhadnotdeservedit，didnotyourowninterestengageyoutoit？
Shouldyourcuriositytoknowanameitwasnotreasonableformetotellyouhaveobligedyoutomakeaconfidanttoassistyouinthediscovery？Nothingbutthatcuriositycouldhavemadeyouguiltyofsocruelanindiscretion；theconsequencesofitareasbadastheypossiblycanbe。Thisadventureisknown，andIhavebeentolditbythosewhoarenotawarethatIamprincipallyconcernedinit。\"\"Whatdoyousay，Madam？\"answeredhe；
\"youaccusemeofhavingtoldwhatpassedbetweenyouandme，andyouinformmethatthethingisknown；Idon’tgoabouttoclearmyselffromthischarge，youcan’tthinkmeguiltyofit；
withoutdoubtyouhaveappliedtoyourselfwhatwastoldyouofsomeother。\"\"Ah！Sir，\"repliedshe，\"theworldhasnotanadventurelikemine，thereisnotanotherwomancapableofsuchathing。ThestoryIhaveheardcouldnothavebeeninventedbychance；nobodycouldimagineanylikeit；anactionofthisnatureneverenteredanythoughtsbutmine。TheQueen-Dauphinhasjusttoldmethestory；shehaditfromtheViscountdeChartres，andtheViscountfromtheDukedeNemours。\"\"TheDukedeNemours！\"criedMonsieurdeCleves，likeamantransportedanddesperate：\"How！doestheDukedeNemoursknowthatyouareinlovewithhim，andthatIamacquaintedwithit？\"\"YouarealwaysforsinglingouttheDukedeNemoursratherthananyother，\"repliedshe；\"IhavetoldyouIwillneveransweryouconcerningyoursuspicions：IamignorantwhethertheDukedeNemoursknowsthepartIhaveinthisadventure，andthatwhichyouhaveascribedtohim；buthetoldittotheViscountdeChartres，andsaidhehaditfromoneofhisfriends，whodidnotnamethelady：thisfriendoftheDukedeNemoursmustneedsbeoneofyours，whomyouentrustedthesecretto，inordertoclearupyoursuspicions。\"\"Canonehaveafriendintheworld，inwhomonewouldreposesuchaconfidence，\"repliedMonsieurdeCleves，\"andwouldamanclearhissuspicionsatthepriceofinforminganotherwithwhatonewouldwishtoconcealfromoneself？Thinkrather，Madam，towhomyouhavespoken；itismoreprobablethissecretshouldhaveescapedfromyouthanfromme；youwasnotablealonetosupportthetroubleyoufoundyourselfin，andyouendeavouredtocomfortyourselfbycomplainingtosomeconfidantwhohasbetrayedyou。\"
\"Donotwhollydestroyme，\"criedshe，\"andbenotsohard-heartedastoaccusemeofafaultyouhavecommittedyourself：canyoususpectmeofit？anddoyouthink，becauseI
wascapableofinformingyouofthismatter，Iwasthereforecapableofinforminganother？\"
TheconfessionwhichMadamdeCleveshadmadetoherhusbandwassogreatamarkofhersincerity，andshesostronglydeniedthatshehadentrustedittoanyother，thatMonsieurdeClevesdidnotknowwhattothink。Ontheotherhandhewassurehehadneversaidanythingofit；itwasathingthatcouldnothavebeenguessed，andyetitwasknown；itmustthereforecomefromoneofthemtwo；butwhatgrievedhimmostwastoknowthatthissecretwasinthehandsofsomebodyelse，andthatinallprobabilityitwouldbesoondivulged。
MadamdeClevesthoughtmuchafterthesamemanner；shefounditequallyimpossiblethatherhusbandshould，orshouldnothavespokenofit。WhattheDukedeNemourshadsaidtoher，thatcuriositymightmakeahusbanddoindiscreetthings，seemedsojustlyapplicabletoMonsieurdeCleves’scondition，thatshecouldnotthinkhesaiditbychance，andtheprobabilityofthismadeherconcludethatMonsieurdeCleveshadabusedtheconfidenceshehadplacedinhim。Theyweresotakenup，theoneandtheother，withtheirrespectivethoughts，thattheycontinuedsilentagreatwhile；andwhentheybrokefromthissilence，theyonlyrepeatedthesamethingstheyhadalreadysaidveryoften；theirheartsandaffectionsgrewmoreandmoreestrangedfromeachother。
Itiseasytoimaginehowtheypassedthenight；MonsieurdeClevescouldnolongersustainthemisfortuneofseeingawomanwhomheadoredinlovewithanother；hegrewquiteheartless，andthoughthehadreasontobesoinanaffairwherehishonourandreputationweresodeeplywounded：heknewnotwhattothinkofhiswife，andwasatalosswhatconductheshouldprescribetoher，orwhatheshouldfollowhimself；hesawnothingonallsidesbutprecipicesandrocks；atlast，afterhavingbeenlongtossedtoandfroinsuspense，heconsideredhewassoontosetoutforSpain，andresolvedtodonothingwhichmightincreasethesuspicionorknowledgeofhisunfortunatecondition。Hewenttohiswife，andtoldherthatwhattheyhadtodowasnottodebatebetweenthemselveswhohaddiscoveredthesecret；buttomakeitappearthatthestorywhichwasgotabroadwasabusinessinwhichshehadnoconcern；thatitdependeduponhertoconvincetheDukedeNemoursandothersofit；thatshehadnothingtodobuttobehaveherselftohimwiththatcoldnessandreservewhichsheoughttohaveforamanwhoprofessedlovetoher；thatbythisproceedingshewouldeasilyremovetheopinionheentertainedofherbeinginlovewithhim；andthereforesheneedednottotroubleherselfastowhathemighthithertohavethought，sinceifforthefutureshediscoverednoweakness，hisformerthoughtswouldvanishofthemselves；andthatespeciallysheoughttofrequenttheLouvreandtheassembliesasusual。
Havingsaidthis，MonsieurdeCleveslefthiswifewithoutwaitingheranswer；shethoughtwhathesaidveryreasonable，andtheresentmentshehadagainsttheDukedeNemoursmadeherbelievesheshouldbeabletocomplywithitwithagreatdealofease；butitseemedahardtasktohertoappearatthemarriagewiththatfreedomandtranquillityofspiritastheoccasionrequired。NeverthelessasshewastocarrytheQueen-Dauphin’strain，andhadbeendistinguishedwiththathonourinpreferencetoagreatmanyotherPrincesses，itwasimpossibletoexcuseherselffromitwithoutmakingagreatdealofnoiseandputtingpeopleuponenquiringintothereasonsofit。Sheresolvedthereforetodoherutmost，andemployedtherestofthedayinpreparingherselfforit，andinendeavouringtoforgetthethoughtsthatgavehersomuchuneasiness；andtothispurposeshelockedherselfupinhercloset。OfallhergriefsthemostviolentwasthatshehadreasontocomplainoftheDukedeNemours，andcouldfindnoexcusetourgeinhisfavour；shecouldnotdoubtbuthehadrelatedthisadventuretotheViscountdeChartres；hehadownedithimself，norcouldsheanymoredoubtfromhismannerofspeakingofit，butthatheknewtheadventurerelatedtoher；howcouldsheexcusesogreatanimprudence？andwhatwasbecomeofthatextremediscretionwhichshehadsomuchadmiredinthisPrince？\"Hewasdiscreet，\"
saidshe，\"whilehewasunhappy；butthethoughtofbeinghappy，thoughonuncertaingrounds，hasputanendtohisdiscretion；hecouldnotconsiderthathewasbeloved，withoutdesiringtohaveitknown；hesaideverythinghecouldsay；IneveracknowledgeditwasheIwasinlovewith；hesuspectedit，andhasdeclaredhissuspicions；ifhehadbeensureofit，hemighthaveactedashehas；Iwastoblameforthinkinghimamancapableofconcealingwhatflatteredhisvanity；andyetitisforthisman，whomIthoughtsodifferentfromothermen，thatIambecomelikeotherwomen，whowassounlikethembefore。Ihavelosttheheartandesteemofahusbandwhooughttohavebeenmyhappiness；Ishallsoonbelookeduponbyalltheworldasapersonledawaybyanidleandviolentpassion；heforwhomI
entertainthispassionisnolongerignorantofit；anditwastoavoidthesemisfortunesthatIhazardedmyquiet，andevenmylife。\"Thesesadreflectionswerefollowedbyatorrentoftears；buthowevergreathergriefwas，sheplainlyperceivedsheshouldbeabletosupportit，wereshebutsatisfiedintheDukedeNemours。
TheDukewasnolessuneasythanshe；theindiscretionhehadbeenguiltyofintellingwhathedidtotheViscountdeChartres，andthemischievousconsequencesofit，vexedhimtotheheart；hecouldnotrepresenttohimselftheafflictionandsorrowhehadseenMadamdeClevesinwithoutbeingpiercedwithanguish；hewasinconsolableforhavingsaidthingstoheraboutthisadventure，which，thoughgallantenoughinthemselves，seemedonthisoccasiontoogrossandimpolite，sincetheygaveMadamdeClevestounderstandhewasnotignorantthatshewasthewomanwhohadthatviolentpassion，andthathewastheobjectofit。Itwasbeforetheutmostofhiswishestohaveaconversationwithher，butnowhefoundheoughtrathertofearthandesireit。\"WhatshouldIsaytoher！\"sayshe；\"shouldIgotodiscoverfurthertoherwhatIhavemadehertoosensibleofalready！ShallItellhowIknowshelovesme；I，whohaveneverdaredtosayIlovedher？ShallIbeginwithspeakingopenlyofmypassion，thatshemayseemyhopeshaveinspiredmewithboldness？CanIeventhinkofapproachingher，andofgivingherthetroubletoenduremysight？WhichwaycouldI
justifymyself？Ihavenoexcuse，IamunworthyoftheleastregardfromMadamdeCleves，andIevendespairofhereverlookinguponme：Ihavegivenherbymyownfaultbettermeansofdefendingherselfagainstmethananyshewassearchingfor，andperhapssearchingfortonopurpose。Ilosebymyimprudencethegloryandhappinessofbeinglovedbythemostbeautifulanddeservingladyintheworld；butifIhadlostthishappiness，withoutinvolvingherinthemostextremegriefandsufferingsatthesametime，Ishouldhavehadsomecomfort；foratthismomentIammoresensibleoftheharmIhavedoneher，thanofthatI
havedonemyselfinforfeitingherfavour。\"
TheDukedeNemourscontinuedturningthesamethoughtsoverandover，andtormentinghimselfagreatwhile；thedesirehehadtospeaktoMadamdeClevescameconstantlyintohismind；hethoughtofthemeanstodoit；hethoughtofwritingtoher；butatlasthefound，consideringthefaulthehadcommittedandthetempershewasin，hisbestwaywastoshowheraprofoundrespectbyhisafflictionandhissilence，toletherseehedurstnotpresenthimselfbeforeher，andtowaitforwhattime，chance，andtheinclinationshehadforhimmightproducetohisadvantage。HeresolvedalsonottoreproachtheViscountdeChartresforhisunfaithfulness，forfearofconfirminghissuspicions。
ThepreparationsfortheespousalsandmarriageofMadameonthenextdaysoentirelytookupthethoughtsoftheCourt，thatMadamdeClevesandtheDukedeNemourseasilyconcealedfromthepublictheirgriefanduneasiness。TheQueen-DauphinspokebutslightlytoMadamdeClevesoftheconversationtheyhadhadwiththeDukedeNemours；andMonsieurdeClevesindustriouslyshunnedspeakingtohiswifeofwhatwaspast；sothatshedidnotfindherselfundersomuchembarrassmentasshehadimagined。
TheespousalsweresolemnisedattheLouvre；andafterthefeastandballalltheRoyalfamilywenttolieattheBishop’sPalace，accordingtocustom。Inthemorning，theDukeofAlva，whoalwayshadappearedveryplainlydressed，putonahabitofclothofgold，mixedwithflame-colour，yellowandblack，allcoveredoverwithjewels，andworeaclosecrownonhishead。ThePrinceofOrangeveryrichlydressedalso，withhisliveries，andalltheSpaniardswiththeirs，cametoattendtheDukeofAlvafromtheHoteldeVilleroywherehelodged，andsetout，marchingfourbyfour，tilltheycametotheBishop’sPalace。Assoonashewasarrived，theywentinordertotheChurch；theKingledMadame，whoworealsoaclosecrown，hertrainbeingbornebyMademoisellesdeMontpensierandLongueville；theQueencamenext，butwithoutacrown；afterherfollowedtheQueen-Dauphin，MadametheKing’ssister，theDuchessofLoraine，andtheQueenofNavarre，theirtrainsbeinghomebythePrincesses；theQueensandthePrincesseswereallofthemattendedwiththeirmaidsofhonour，whowererichlydressedinthesamecolourwhichtheyworethemselves；sothatitwasknownbythecolouroftheirhabitswhosemaidstheywere：theymountedtheplacethatwaspreparedintheChurch，andtherethemarriageceremonieswereperformed；theyreturnedafterwardstodineattheBishop’sPalace，andwentfromthenceaboutfiveo’clocktothePalacewherethefeastwas，andwheretheParliament，theSovereignCourts，andtheCorporationoftheCityweredesiredtoassist。
TheKing，theQueens，thePrincesandPrincessessatatthemarbletableinthegreathallofthePalace；theDukeofAlvasatnearthenewQueenofSpain，belowthestepsofthemarbletable，andattheKing’srighthandwasatablefortheambassadors，thearchbishops，andtheKnightsoftheOrder，andontheothersideonefortheParliament。
TheDukeofGuise，dressedinarobeofclothofgoldfrieze，servedtheKingasGreatChamberlain；thePrinceofCondeasStewardoftheHousehold，andtheDukedeNemoursasCup-bearer。
Afterthetableswereremovedtheballbegan，andwasinterruptedbyinterludesandagreatdealofextraordinarymachinery；thentheballwasresumed，andaftermidnighttheKingandthewholeCourtreturnedtotheLouvre。HoweverfullofgriefMadamdeCleveswas，sheappearedintheeyesofallbeholders，andparticularlyinthoseoftheDukedeNemours，incomparablybeautiful。Hedurstnotspeaktoher，thoughthehurryoftheceremonygavehimfrequentopportunities；butheexpressedsomuchsorrowandsorespectfulafearofapproachingher，thatshenolongerthoughthimtoblame，thoughhehadsaidnothinginhisjustification；hisconductwasthesamethefollowingdays，andwroughtthesameeffectontheheartofMadamdeCleves。