the Examination of her Daughter she had found in her an indifferency for all men and more particularly for Sansac that it was likely that too much Love in the Count of Amboise had made him to decline the marrying a Person who was so incapable of passion as not to know or discern the Sentiments that were had for her In fine she advis'd her to accept of the Viscount of Tavanes for her Son-in-law The business was treated with much Secrecy and it had been quickly dispatch'd if the King's Sickness had not suspended all things He was seiz'd while he was Hunting with such a violent pain in his Head that from the very beginning the consequences of it were dreaded That danger he was in recall'd back to Paris all those that were concern'd for his life The Marquess of Sansac return'd in diligence The Count of Amboise though he was scarce arriv'd in England return'd into France That Sickness prov'd as fatal as it had been sudden The King died within the space of eight days and his Death gave a new face to all things Queen Mury of Scotland lost all that Authority which she had acquired Catherine of Medicis was declared Regent during the Minority of Charles the Ninth and was absolute The Prince of Conde who had been arrested for that Conspiracy of which he was thought to be the Chief was set at Liberty he still had a great Esteem for Amboise and though he could not prevail with him to enter into his Interests he had not lov'd him the less The Marquess of Sansac did speak with Madmoiselle of Roye the next day that he came to Paris she was at Madam of Tournon's where there was great store of Company and she was somewhat at a distance from the rest so that he found a means to place himself near her without being oppos'd in it by Madam of Tournon He ask'd Pardon of Madmoiselle of Roye for those Propositions which he had caus'd to be made to her Mother before he had consulted her he accus'd thereof the violence of his Passion and he told her That what he had heard of her hatred towards him and Madam of Roye's refusal had sufficiently punish'd him for it Madmoiselle of Roye was surpris'd at that Discourse You learn me such new things said she that I am troubled how to answer and I am as ignorant of the hatred that you say I have for you as of all the rest Madam of Tournon who perceiv'd him very busie in Discourse with Madmoiselle of Roye feigning not to see it call'd to her to draw near telling her that she was at too much distance from the rest of the Company When Madmoiselle of Roye made reflexions on what he had told her she believ'd that those Propositions had been made that very day and that some Reasons of Interest or of Hatred had determined her Mother on a refusal so she concluded that she should not marry Sansac at the same instant that she was certain of being tenderly belov'd by him Mean time this Marquess was gathering fresh hopes he perceived that he was not hated He further comprehended that perhaps Madam of Roye in refusing him so cruelly had sought no further than to keep her Word with Monsieur of Amboise and that things being now chang'd as to that Concern a second Attempt might succeed He would have engag'd his Father the very next morning to mention it to Madam of Roye but he found him so pierc'd with sorrow for the Death of the King whose Governour he had been that he would not so much as hear him This Marquess was too amorous not to fear being prevented by his Rivals He knew Madam of Tournon's power over Madam of Roye he declar'd to her his Love and did conjure her to speak in his behalf till his Father could enter on that business Madam of Tournon was offended at this confidence but she took upon her to dissemble and she did not much fear but that it would succeed She assur'd him that it should not be her fault if he was not happy He believ'd her and in that belief he went to see Madam of Roye that very day but many things had pass'd that he knew not of So soon as Monsieur of Amboise was return'd from England he had waited on that Countess who had receiv'd him with great affection She had but newly inform'd her Daughter that she design'd her for the Viscount of Tavanes and that News had given her so great a trouble that she had had no more time but to answer that she should always obey her and had gone out of her Mother's Chamber to give a full vent to her Tears When she perceiv'd that she had avoided to marry the Count of Amboise but to be deliver'd up to the Viscount of Tavanes she was inconsolable His Person had always displeas'd her and his design rendred him odious She believ'd that that perfect Esteem which she had for the Count of Amboise might supply the place of Love and that it had been easier for her to become his since she had no longer hopes of marrying Sansac than to be the Viscount of Tavanes's In fine the pass'd danger did no longer appear an evil to her and she gave that name but to the present Madam of Roye desirous to let Amboise know he had not lost her confiance in him made no Secret to him of Monsieur of Tavanes's Marriage with her Daughter and she spoke to him of it as a thing that would be very soon concluded What did not that News produce in Monsieur of Amboise's mind Madmoiselle of Roye was going to marry a man whom he knew that she did not love The thoughts of losing her for ever and to see her in the possession of an Husband who had so little deserv'd her did excite at once his despair and his indignation He begg'd the permission of Madam of Roye of seeing her Daughter and he immediately went to find her in her Apartment She was in such a sorrowful condition that he stood not in need of his discourse of Love to be sensibly moved with it Her Face was cover'd with Tears which did not diminish her Beauty You are Witness of my Sorrow said she finding that she could not hide her Tears and you will soon learn what has caus'd it I know it may be but too much already reply'd he and I dare say Madmoiselle that I am more sensible of those evils that you feel than of all those that you have made me How cruel is your goodness to me said Madmoiselle of Roye whose Sorrow forc'd to speak Conceal it from me in compassion that I may less know the value of what I have lost What do you tell me Madmoiselle said he I have not acquired so much indifferency as to hear quietly those words from your mouth I seek not to flatter you said she but it is certain that I shall repent my self all my life time of the proceeding that I have
that it could be done and his Reflexions on it had but softned his Heart the more and rendred it more capable of feeling his loss far from preparing it to bear his misfortune he abandon'd himself to all that Despair has of most horrid But he was not long in that trouble Amboise was decreed to dye with grief in the midst of his Happiness and it was soon spread abroad in what danger that Count was Monsieur of Amboise could not bear the divers agitations of his mind a Feaver did seize him with such an extraordinary violence that from the very first day his Life was in danger The Countess of Amboise was incessantly by him bathed with tears the affliction which she shew'd him and the Cares which she took for his preservation did sensibly move him but this put him in Despair when he thought that he durst not take them for Tokens of Love yet he could not but be sensible of them He perceiv'd that Madam of Amboise was worthy of an infinite Esteem and that if he could not reach her Heart he was to dye without complaining of her he felt that he had but few days to live and he resolv'd not to mention to her those Letters which caus'd his Death for fear of shewing some Jealousie and of taking from her by that means the liberty of following her own inclination when he should be no more That strain of Generosity did cost him dear his Sentiments were not sufficiently weakned not to oppose himself to a resolution which was so contrary to them and his Deliriums did sometimes discover that which he would have conceal'd Madam of Amboise who by all means imaginable did endeavour to find out the Cause of his affliction and of his sickness perceiv'd at last that a Jealousie did torment him the Love and Esteem which she had for her Husband and that which she had for her self would not permit her to let him live or dye with such disadvantageous thoughts of her She more than once did cast her self at his feet telling him that the slight which he had shew'd her in depriving her of his Confidence was unsufferable Madam said he to her what do you seek to know Believe that that tenderness which I have for you is the Cause of that Secret you seek after You cannot understand me added he sighing and I lose all the satisfaction which I should have in deserving from you by this last Sacrifice but it is to leave you more at rest and quiet Those words did still increase Madam of Amboise's Curiosity and caus'd her to redouble her intreaties insomuch that at the last the Death of that Count being no longer uncertain and the Physicians having declar'd it to his Wife the extraordinary Sorrow which she shew'd him all the time and the manner after which she press'd him had the power to tear out of his Bosom what he had conceal'd there till then It is believed that your Sickness increases said she embracing of him doubtless your disquiet of mind contributes to it I mention not mine to you you have discover'd to me against your mind part of that which you had a mind to conceal from me I know you have unjust thoughts of me you will not give me place of justifying my self and you neglect being satisfied of a Person that you no longer love I have with the fear of losing you the assurance of having already lost your Friendship and Love but I have already told you I go not about to move you by my Sorrow I have no other concern in it but your own complain of me to give your self ease and express your thoughts to put your self more at quiet Perhaps that you may not find me guilty if you cause me to speak Well Madam said the Count of Amboise seeing that my ravings have began to betray me and have troubled you I must inform you of all and repair those evils that they have done Read these Letters said he presenting her those that he had receiv'd this is it that causes my grief I could not live and doubt whether I was belov'd by you or no I die to leave you to another that will never love you as I do but with whom you will be more happy because that you will love him more Madam of Amboise did tremble at the imprudence or malice of those who had sent the Letter of Advice to her Husband she did not guess at them and she was so taken up to see him dye for her that even at that moment the Letter from Sansac made not the least impression on her mind Monsieur of Amboise who was employ'd contrary to his Design in examining the motions of her Face did not perceive her to change colour Well Sir said she you have thoughts that I could not receive a Letter from Sansac without entertaining again such Sentiments as would be displeasing to you I wish it had been given me I had put it into your hands as I do at this present Ah! if this be true Madam said he with a Transport which shortned his days must I die What You can have forgotten Sansac said he with Eyes in which Love was not yet extinct I am asham'd said she that I must give you new assurances of it but I shall be satisfied if they do but put you out of that condition you are in No Madam said he to her I die with as much satisfaction as regret but when all is done your first Sentiments have been for Sansac I am neither unjust nor tyrannical it is much for me to have extinguish'd them one moment during my life they will rekindle after my death I murmur not at it oppose not my memory to them you knew that so long as I could I have prefer'd your happiness to mine and I see with some kind of Joy that you will be perfectly happy without making me unhappy No sooner had he ended those words but he swooned The Countess of Amboise was led out of the Chamber notwithstanding her Tears and her Out-cryes Madam of Roye who was not much less afflicted at the condition the Count was in did however endeavour to comfort her as much as she could possible Monsieur of Amboise came out of his Swoon he order'd that his Wife should be desir'd not to come into his Chamber any more that she might spare her self the trouble which the sight of him would cause her and because that the sight of her did make him leave this life with too much unwillingness he dyed the next day Madam of Roye did lead the Countess of Amboise into a Monastery where she stay'd a fortnight and after that they went into the Country That Widow's affliction did not grow moderate she thought that she should never consolate her self for the Death of her Husband She knew the full value of that Affection which he had had for her and how much his Heart and his Merits were above that of other men She was even
Madmoiselle of Roye might have been possest with that kind of insensibility which Solitude usually gives the quickness of her Apprehension did make her to recieve and entertain the first impressions that were given her and what she heard her Mother say of the Count 's good Meen Wit and Generosity did create in her an Esteem which dispos'd her towards the receptions of farther impressions That day in which he was to give her the first Visit she had dress'd her self with more care than usually and she was of a Beauty to charm all those that beheld her It was in one of those agreeable Summers days that invite to take the Air. The Sun that had not appear'd that day gave place to a delicious Coolness and Madmoiselle of Roye was walking in one of the Avenues of the House with two Ladies of her Mother's acquaintance who were come to dine with her It being early enough yet not to expect the Count of Amboise and Madam of Roye was busied about some Conserves she was well pleas'd that the Walk did divert them during that time which she was to employ in business They were already come to the end of a Walk where there was an Arbour open on every side very pleasant and in which they were going to enter to seat themselves when they perceiv'd a Cavaleer who alighting from his Horse left his Followers behind him and advanc'd towards them Still as he approach'd she observ'd his shape and Air which appear'd worthy of all the attention that she afforded them She doubted not but that it was Monsieur of Amboise he came at the appointed day his earnestness could not displease her The good Meen of that Person that she saw did correspond to that Idea which she had fram'd in her self of the Count. Those Ladies that were with her did not know him as belonging not to the Court. They had learnt that he was expected that day and they also were of opinion that it was he They bestowed Praises on him which added the more to prepossess her in his behalf Madmoiselle of Roye found her duty very easie and it may be that she hastned her self a little too much to observe it Monsieur Amboise was the Person that was to inspire her with that Joy which is given at the first encounter of that Object which ought to please but it was in favour of the Marquess of Sansac that she had been made sensible of it Chance had conducted him there he was coming from a Lady of his Relation and having found himself near to Madam of Roye's House some discourse which he had heard of her Daughter's Beauty did make him take that occasion to give them a Visit He had not seen Madam of Roye since the death of her Husband she liv'd in so close a Retirement that none had yet attempted to disturb her but he thought that after a year of Mourning she would make no scruple of receiving him He approacht the Ladies and though he knew them not he said all that Politeness and Gallantry could inspire him with in that rencontre but he presently did distinguish Madmoiselle of Roye from the rest of truth though one of them was young and beautiful also the Beauty of Madmoiselle of Roye was so perfect that one could not behold any other but hers in any place where she appear'd she found I know not what of pleasing in this Adventure which gave her an inclination to continue it She intreated the Ladies not to tell her Name and knowing that those Concerns which detain'd her Mother would not be so soon ended she propos'd to the Company to go seat themselves in the Arbour That Road which the Marquess of Sansac had taken would not let him doubt but that it led to Madam of Roye's he went not about to conceal that design and those Ladies confirming themselves in the opinion that he was Monsieur of Amboise did put divers nice Questions to him on Madmoiselle of Roye's account which gave him to understand that they took him for that Count who he knew to be on the very point of marrying her They ask'd him whether he had not wherewith to accuse himself for amusing with them when he was on the point of seeing so beautiful a Person She blush'd at this after a manner which helpt to perswade him that he was not deceiv'd in the thoughts that she was Madmoiselle of Roye The place where he met with her and her extraordinay Beauty had already given him great suspicions of it but then he doubted of it no longer and guest by what was told him that she had not yet seen the Count of Amboise and that he was expected The Adventure pleas'd him in his turn that Errour caus'd him to be favorably look'd upon by a beautiful Person he took upon him not to answer positively that he might not undeceive them and to take off all blame from him when they should come to know him There cannot be had a greater Idea of Madmoiselle of Roye's Beauty than I have said he Yet it is hard for me to believe that she is above that which I see here added he looking on her in a manner which did perswade her that he was taken She took a most sensible delight in all that pass'd there and was highly pleas'd with the sudden effect of her Charms in a manner which still conduc'd to render her favourable unto him who gave her to understand that he was sensible of their Power They had already been an hour in that Arbour when a great showre of Rain besieg'd them No body was sorry for it the Conversation was so pleasing that it was not possible for them to compute the time that they stay'd there Monsieur of Sansac had an incomparable agreement in his Person and in all that he said and his natural Briskness was the more heightned by all that was of surprising in that rencounter Madmoiselle of Roye was ravisht to find him so worthy of her their Eyes met more than once after a manner which caus'd her to blush and which afterwards made her to avoid those of Monsieur of Sansac Of truth though she believ'd him to be the Count of Amboise and that she was to marry him she was sensible of I know not what that was independant of her Duty which she was loth to unravel She had all the leisure to abandon her self to an Errour which was to prove so fatal to her in the pursuit for the storm did not cease and they could not stir out of the Arbour At last Monsieur of Amboise came and perceiving Ladies in the Arbour he went towards it taking them to be Madam and Madmoiselle of Roye He found not there that Countess which he had seen at Court but he presently knew her Daughter by the Picture that had been made him of her and on the same grounds which had before given the Marquess of Sansac to understand that it was she so that he address'd his
Sentiments for the Count I was troubled for not having succeeded better You return'd into the Country the Count went frequently to visit you I did scarce see him after that which gave me to understand how dear he was to me I would have oppos'd my self to my inclinations but it was in vain and at the very time that I endeavour'd to call back my Reason I continually did think on him and so made an end of losing it She remain'd silent during a while then she continu'd perceiving that Madmoiselle of Roye did not speak I did feel distinctly a Jealousie I had some regret for having offer'd to take you from the Count seeing that thereby he was not the more mine but I fell in a Despair when he thought a second time of marrying you and I found no quiet till by an extraordinary excess of Love he had resign'd you to his Rival That Action did highly increase my Esteem in my opinion it did authorise that which I felt for him and even that which I had acted against him and tho that Example of Generosity did condemn me I could not see the difference of his proceeding and mine I thought that my Conduct was justified sufficiently by that unconcernedness and your indifferency but in effect it was but a little hope which did justifie all Alas I was not long in that situation If I had some moments that were less disagreeable they were but moments still you can tell whether I have had any occasion to flatter my self Madmoiselle of Sansac could no longer continue such a Discourse and pouring forth a Torrent of Tears she oblig'd Madmoiselle of Roye to speak to her I am more miserable than you said she I feel all your troubles as you do your self and I have besides the trouble of having caus'd them It is through my means that you have particularly known the Count of Amboise It is perhaps through his Love to me that he enters not into those Sentiments which are due to your Merits In fine it is my indifferency towards him that has given place to your pity all turns to poison to you I dare not undertake any thing and after I have caus'd all your Sorrows I have the trouble of not being able to bring you out of them You ought not to have any more friendship for me You consider me as a Rival perhaps that you hate me No reply'd Madmoiselle of Sansac is-Amboise that must be hated and not you but I cannot have so much as the satisfaction of hating either of you What has he done to me he has not betray'd me seeing that he never lov'd me Alas must that be the Cause that must take me off of complaining Here her redoubled Tears did force her a second time to silence and Madmoiselle of Roye perceiving some alteration in her Face fear'd that she should not be well and oblig'd her to lay her self on the Bed after which she went into her Closet to speak with one of her Servants it was to tell her from Madam of Roye that the Count of Amboise was to come and that she should receive him if he came before her return He came in that very instant and having seen no body in the Anti-Chamber nor in the Chamber because that Madmoiselle of Roye had order'd her Women when she came in with Madmoiselle of Sansac to go into her Closet which was at some distance that they might not interrupt their Conversation he was going out but Madmoisele of Sansac having turned her self to see who it was she had made a little noise he drew near to the Bed whose Curtains were half drawn He knew her not she had part of her Coifs over her Face he took her to be Madmoiselle of Roye who was resting on the Bed so that having still his mind fill'd with the Adventure of the Garden and fearing also to lose the opportunity of speaking to her Madmoiselle said he I cannot defer one moment justifying of my self could you be so hard-hearted to belive that I could love Madmoiselle of Sansac I had not yesterday leisure to answer you on what you would have had me to think of her Sentiments but was there any occasion for that If that your indifferency could not make me change all the passion that can be had for me could do no more Madmoiselle of Roye who apprehended that some body was entring and who also was advertis'd another way that it was Monsieur of Amboise return'd in the Chamber and said to him with a loud voice That a Lady of her Friends was sleeping on that Bed and that she would receive him in another Chamber but she knew not that he had said too much already Madmoiselle of Sansac had been struck by it as with a Thunderbolt and that last misfortune was so horrid that nothing but death could take from her the shame and the sorrow of it She remain'd on the Bed of Madmoiselle of Roye overwhelm'd with divers different thoughts without coming to any resolution Monsieur of Amboise was with Madmoiselle of Roye he was telling her the same things which he thought that he had told her before when he had spoken to Mdamoiselle of Sansac but she let him see that she took no delight in hearing them and if any thing was capable of moving her it could be nothing but those Sentiments that he should take up for her Friend He was troubled at that indifferency and he remain'd seiz'd with so great a Sorrow that he desisted from speaking to her Madam of Roye return'd sooner than she had thought to do and Madmoiselle of Roye went to Madmoiselle of Sansac whose Despair increas'd by her Presence She made a loud and sorrowful Out cry when she saw her Ah! you have betray'd me said she I at least thought that the Count was ignorant of my weakness but there wanted something more to perfect your Victory you have found some satisfaction in that Sacrifice that he has offer'd up to you of me I beg your pardon for distrusting you in this thought but why did yon tell him that I lov'd him seeing he lov'd you She had not the power to proceed her Tears did run abundantly down and she could do nothing but weep Madmoiselle of Roye apprehended part of what had pass'd she had nothing to answer her and it was then a fit time to justifie her intentions when she was guilty through such sad Effects all that she could say or do was to assure her that it would be easie to take off of the Count the thoughts of being belov'd but the Remedy was not yet according to Madmoiselle of Sansac's mind No. said she let him know it and I shall never see him more Upon this she did rise from the Bed and went from Madmoiselle of Roye with the design of never returning there again and the next day she went to one of her Father's Country-houses which was near the City of Tours There she did endeavour to forget
Sansac and in favour of that Name he rendred himself amiable she entertain'd him with a satisfaction which was even suspicious to Sansac he fear'd to find a Rival in a man who appear'd formidable and who was assiduous at Madmoiselle of Roye's he own'd his Suspicions to her but she assur'd him so firmly that he was but a Friend and she was so well perswaded of it her self that she even made no reflexions on Sansac's disquiets Of truth he had so much reason to assure himself of Madmoiselle of Roye's inclinations that he was willing at first to submit his Jealousie to her Madam of Tournon who by the Promises which she had made him of employing her self in the behalf of his Marriage had thereby engag'd him to be obliging to her caus'd to be spread abroad by the Count of Sancerre that the Marquess was fallen in Love with her Though Madmoiselle of Roye was advertis'd of the Reasons he had to manage her That Countess was still brisk enough to produce some uneasie thoughts in a Rival Madmoiselle of Roye inform'd Sansac of what was said of him he remain'd in a Surprise which appear'd very natural he answered her after so tender a manner and he did love her so sincerely that he could not fail of being soon justified He offer'd to break off with Madam of Tournon but they both thought they had the same interest to preserve her their Friend She at last desired him not to alter his Conduct and assur'd him that she should never be concern'd at it Her Jealousie appear'd so tender to her Lover that in that very instant he lost that which he had had of Sancerre he was even so asham'd for having mistrusted of infidelity so nice a Heart that he fear'd putting her in mind of those fears which he had express'd but that quiet lasted not long Madam of Tournon designing that they should both at one and the same time entertain Suspicions one of another gain'd to her Party that Woman of Madmoiselle of Roye's in whom she put the greatest confidence she gave her a Letter which was directed to Madmoiselle of Roye but she intreated her not to shew it to her and so to contrive the business that Sansac might read it without any sign that there had been any design he should see it Chance did favour her intention some few days after and the business was punctually done Sansac came one Enening to Madam of Roye's she was not there some of her Friends waited some time for her return but that day she was to sup with her Daughter at Madam of Tournon's mean time this Woman seign'd as if she knew nothing of it she told Sansac that they would soon return and she would have him to go into Madam of Roye's Apartment of which she had designedly mislay'd the Key to have occasion of leading him in that of Madmoiselle of Roye's She had newly carried that Letter there with which she had charg'd her self it lay on the Table unsealed and seem'd as if it had been forgotten She left the Marquess alone who read the Letter which was of the Count of Sancerre's hand whose Writing Sansac knew Sancerre by that Letter did confess to Madmoiselle of Roye that he had a long time thought to be no more but a Friend to her that therefore he had disguis'd his real Sentiments under that notion but now he could no longer forbear letting her know them Sansac read it with the same vexation as if in learning the Count's Love he had also learn'd that he was belov'd That Woman return'd into the Chamber when she thought he might have read the Letter and she told him that Madmoiselle of Roye had newly sent back her people and that she should pass that Evening at Madam of Tournon's He immediately went thither not doubting but that Sancerre would be there yet having at a distance observ'd his Liveries at the door he was struck at that sight as if he did not expect it He went into Madam of Tournon's to see in what manner Madmoiselle of Roye would govern her self with her new Lover but she having not seen the Letter which could inform her of this Count's Sentiments she therefore alter'd not her former Conduct towards him Sansac was almost mad to see her in her usual Gayety his Jealousie did perswade him that it was rather increas'd Never had he found those things which Sancerre said so unfit to please and he never did so much fear lest they should please at last he went out in the most furious trouble that he ever had been in his life The next day he could not see Madmoiselle of Roye alone and the day following they set forth for Reims at the Coronation of Charles the Ninth A considerable time had already pass'd since the death of Francis the Second Pleasures began to spring up again at Court and of truth they had scarce discontinu'd because it was the Queen Regent's pleasure who would be absolute to keep all things in Idleness and Wantonness she grac'd every day with some Festival and being always follow'd by the most beautiful Women who made their Lovers to act according to their Will she reign'd with a full Authority by the means of Gallantry Madam of Roye whom a slight indisposition did oblige to stay at Paris would have retain'd her Daughter with her but the Queen desired not to deprive her of a Person who adorn'd her Court so that she intrusted Madam of Tournon with her who she still believ'd to be the most sincere of all her Friends Her Daughter had not told her the distrust which she had of that Countess for fear she had found them too little reasonable During the Journey Madam of Tournon did observe Madmoiselle of Roye and on the pretence of Friendship did not leave her one moment That Letter which Sansac had read having not been writ to any other end but that he should see it Madmoiselle of Roye had not heard one word of it Sancerre was still cautious of giving her any Suspicion that he lov'd her His Rival was first to be destroy'd and he was contented in labouring joyntly with Madam of Tournon to sow a discord betwixt those two Lovers and in preventing them from coming to a right Understanding Madam of Tournon had told Sansac that though she was willing to serve him in his Marriage near his Father she would not enter with Madmoiselle of Roye in the confidence of his Love and that it was not convenient for her to act in any thing of that nature with a young Person He could not blame her for it and he the less suspected that she were capable of taking another Interest in him than that of Friendship This Marquess continu'd to entertain a Jealousie in his Bosom He saw that Madmoiselle of Roye did not break off with Sancerre and he already judg'd her too guilty to merit his reproaches but he express'd an extraordinary coldness towards her she attributed it
in an admiration of him and she was far from distrusting that she should ever have any Sentiments of Love for any Body She even thought that she had never had any so sensible as for him She did avoid thinking on Sansac's Letter She thought she did it through indifferency but she did incessantly think on the Generosity which her Husband had had of consenting at his Death that she should marry him though she had no design of taking any advantage of it Sansac had taken up new Hopes by the Death of Monsieur of Amboise but he understood that it would be long before he durst see the Widow and he return'd to Tours when she went into the Country where she remain'd three months without receiving any Visit mean time her businesses oblig'd her to return to Paris and he return'd also at the same time so soon as he heard of it though he durst not go to her House he did seek after all solitary Walks with a design to find her there He was not long without receiving that satisfaction and without causing himself to be observ'd The Countess of Amboise found her self disturb'd the first time that she saw him She thought that the presence of a man that had offended her might be the cause of that trouble she being then with a Lady of her Relations to whom she would not give any notice of having observ'd Sansac she was oblig'd to go on her way Sansac did follow her still and in fine she went off so soon as she could possible When she was return'd home she went into her Closet where she could not forbear reading that Letter of the Marquesse's which Monsieur of Amboise had given her and which she had kept she found it full of Passion and she read it over again after which she was seiz'd with profound thoughts in which she could not distinguish her own Conceptions Some days after Monsieur of Sansac having gain'd some of her people to discover in what place she would go walk he was there before her because she came but late and when he met her he saluted her after a manner that was full of Sorrow and of Respect which gave her a greater disturbance than the first time had done she was got out of the Coach to take the Air but so soon as she had saluted the Marquess she hastily got into it again mean time she had not gone far but her Coach broke it was late she was a pretty way from Paris and she found her self in a great disorder Monsieur of Sansac who saw at distance the disorder which had happen'd to her Equipage drew near and not daring to speak to Madam of Amboise he intreated one of those Women that accompanied the Countess to offer her as from him his Coach to carry her back Madam of Amboise could not dispense her self from answering that Civility she returned him thanks and told him that some of her people were going for some body to mend her Coach and sent immediately about it He told her that he was very unhappy to be refus'd in such an occasion where it was almost impossible not to accept of that which he proposed That Madam of Amboise's Coach could not be in a condition to go before night were far advanced That he would wait the return of those which she sent and that perhaps necessity would overcome that repugnancy which she had of doing him that Favour Madam of Amboise did endeavour to answer him without rudeness but also without promising to make use of his assistance they insensibly got into a Conversation Monsieur of Sansac found out the Art of making it last in saying things to Madam of Amboise which caus'd her to give him some Answers Those persons that had been sent for to mend the Coach came and said it was impossible to bring it back to Paris that day Madam of Amboise was in a strange confusion night was began Sansac offer'd to give her his Coach and to stay there till it were return'd there had been some rudeness to leave him there alone mean time she had a great task to resolve her self to go in the same Coach with a man that had lov'd her and whom she fear'd was not yet quite indifferent to her At last necessity oblig'd her to intreat him to bring her to the first Houses while she should send for a Coach to Paris Those Houses being at a great distance she could not with decency leave him in the fields and he found too much pleasure in accompanying Madam of Amboise to avoid it one moment so that he carried her with two of her Women into the next Town What Charms for him to find himself with her He durst not tell her but indifferent things but he spoke to her did see her and did hope that that Rencontre would not be without some Consequences the very Air of Mystery which did happen accidentally in this Adventure did afford him a great deal of delight The same Reasons that created that Lover's Joy did alarm Madmoiselle Amboise's Severity she was so agitated with different thoughts that she said nothing but in disorder The Marquess who perceiv'd it did not draw any ill Omen from it neither durst he ask her the permission of seeing her any longer after he had set her where she desired to be but he hover'd about that place till she was gone from thence The next day he writ to her to ask an hours Audience before he went to Chartres where the King was sending him with a Reinforcement of four thousand men who were got into the City which the Huguenots had besieg'd That Countess was puzled about the Conduct that she should observe in that occasion she had been busied all the night with the thoughts of the Rencontre which she had made Sansac had appear'd more amorous than ever but she durst not find him as lovely mean time he was almost justified in her mind in regard of Madam of Tournon by his Letter which she had read divers times over Monsieur of Amboise far from fearing that she should marry him had in some manner enjoyned her to it at his death yet she thought that that was not sufficient to invite her to marry him but that she might see him without scruple she was to speak to him and to learn who it was had sent to Monsieur of Amboise those Letters which had caus'd so much disorder In fine she was to inform Sansac of the resolution that she had taken of remaining a Widow in those thoughts she let him know that he might see her With what Joy did he go to her House and found himself at liberty to speak to her of his Passion he thought that her Beauty was yet increas'd her Mourning and the Emotion which appear'd on her Face did add a thousand Charms He cast himself at her Feet without pronouncing one single word and even without thinking what he did Madam of Amboise did oblige him to rise with