the Propositions that had been made and what she had answered the Queen finding that she should be perplext with that Visit presently answer'd Madam of Tournon and did engage her to divert Sansac from that Design Madam of Tournon who in writing to Madam of Roye had had no other design but of getting such a kind of Answer shew'd the Letter to Sansac as to a Friend from whom she had no Secret to conceal Sansac who this ill Success had disgusted consulted no longer the Countess on a thing of which it was nor seasonable to discover the motives he did go to Madam of Roye but he saw not her Daughter though he enquired after her He was told that she was ill he return'd there a second time and he was again refus'd seeing of her on pretences which appear'd very unlikely to him He learnt that Monsieur of Amboise was with her insomuch that asham'd of the small success of his Visits and despairing for having a Rival more happy than himself he took the resolution of leaving Paris and went to one of his Houses at a great distance from thence Madmoiselle of Roye who had been all along concern'd at the precipitation with which she had been hurried into the Country and who saw with sorrow that she was prevented from receiving Visits from Sansac did fancy that peradventure Madam of Roye had discover'd her Sentiments towards him which produc'd in her a mixture of shame and trouble Monsieur of Amboise did let her observe how much he was afflicted to see her in that melancholy yet without complaining and without giving her the least notice that he could in part read her mind so respectful a Conduct did touch Madmoiselle of Roye and Pity succeeded to her Hatred but Love succeeded not to that Pity He was too unconcern'd in the Prince of Conde's Conspiracy to remain long accus'd of it and by that time he was almost quite clear'd Madmoiselle of Roye was sensible that she was on the point of marrying him he acted after such a generous manner which deserv'd some kindness of her part she thought that her duty would be a supply to the defects of her Heart One day that the Count of Amboise's sorrow was extraordinary she told him more obliging thing than she had ever done before buâ— they did but redouble that Lovers affliction ' Las Madam said he force not your self those affected outsides render me not less miserable you affect shewing me some kindness how happy should I be if you had enough to endeavour to conceal it That Discourse put Madmoiselle of Roye into some disorder it was sufficiently grounded to cause her some trouble she was a long while without answering and Monsieur of Amboise being emboldned by her silence or rather confirming himself in those Suspicions had no longer any power to resist their breaking forth Madam said he to her I perceive but too well that I am indifferent to you why would you not let me see it At least be sincere if you cannot be tender I am reduc'd to that condition of being oblig'd to you if you but confess to me that you love me not Those words were follow'd with tears Madmoiselle of Roye was sensibly mov'd at them Why this eternal Constraint She was not yet his Wife Such a discovery could be of no other use than to disingage her and to set her in a liberty of following her own Sentiments Is that the greatest Esteem that ever was said she No Madmoiselle he interrupted all your Esteem cannot afford me any Consolation for your indifferency But added he being press'd by his Jealousie if any thing could sweeten it it would be a confidence without reservedness it may well be due to me to recompense me of all that which you detain from me What is that confidence which you require further said Madmoiselle of Roye I think I express much Ah! Madmoiselle said he that is not yet enough let me know more though it be a punishment for my Curiosity all the Favour which I ask you is that you should inform me of my whole misfortune Have I no Rival Confess it to me Ought you to doubt but that I am indifferent said Madmoiselle of Roye seeing that you that was design'd me have not rendred me sensible Alas Madmoiselle said he your Heart might be prepossest Prepossest reply'd Madmoiselle de Roye did I know any one before I was ingag'd to you ' Las Madmoiselle said he interrupting her being transported by Jealousie had you not seen any body before me There needs but one moment to create Love. At this word which did so precisely mark what pass'd in Madmoiselle of Roye's Heart such a redness cover'd her Face that Monsieur Amboise doubted no longer of his Disgrace he lean'd on a Seat not being able to support his Sorrow What do you make me to see Madmoiselle said he How much must you be respected to shew you any moderation at the discovery you have made of having for another Person those Sentiments that were due to me alone on the account of that violent passion which I have for you Madmoiselle of Roye who was pierc'd to the very bottom of her Soul with those words could not with-hold her Tears and she express'd so deep a Sorrow that Monsieur of Amboise notwithstanding his Despair was concern'd at the condition he had put her in He look'd on her with all the timidity which the thought of having displeas'd her did suggest him and he seem'd by his silence to repair his having said too much At last he ask'd her Pardon for what he had said or rather for what he had seen Madmoiselle of Roye was in an extraordinary disorder Her trouble and her redness had so cruelly betray'd her that she could not look on Monsieur of Amboise without the highest confusion imaginable so that not knowing what to answer and being vex'd at him she withdrew into her Closet desiring him to leave her at quiet and to forget her What resentments had not Monsieur of Amboise against that Person who depriv'd him of his Mistresses's Heart if he had follow'd its fury he had been brought to cruel extremities against him but he thought that in such an occasion a flying out would draw on him all Madmoiselle of Roye's anger and hatred and that he was not to prostitute a Secret of which she had her self discover'd part to him and which she had let him penetrate wholly into He represented to himself those Tears which he had seen her shed and that Idea did retain his Revenge though it increas'd his Sorrow They remain'd some time with out seeing one another The Count of Amboise being certain that he could not be pleasing to Madmoiselle of Roye and having in some sort offended her durst not appear before her Madmoiselle oâ— Roye did no less fear receiving oâ— his Visits There is no man morâ— troublesom than a jealous Lover when he has cause for it and right to
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
to him to turn all his Anger upon Sansac but he soon learnt also that that Marquess was fallen in Love with Madam of Tournon and that News did produce in him divers agitations in which he went no further at first than to know what Madmoiselle of Roye's thoughts were on that Subject after which he return'd to her House with much earnestness Madam of Roye receiv'd him with her usual Civilities and Madmoiselle of Roye appear'd melancholick but civil and full of regards there being some Persons in the Chamber he could not enter into any particular Conversation with her that day but however she observ'd that he lov'd her still she made some reflexions on his proceedings and on those of Sansac she oppos'd the Constancy of the one to the Inconstancy of the other and though such advantageous thoughts in the behalf of D'Amboise did not yet carry along with them Madmoiselle of Roye's Heart it was much however that she allow'd him so entire a preference in her mind The first time that he saw her alone he would have spoken of Sansac but she presently avoided the Discourse by a secret confusion which she was in at her being abandon'd by a man whom she had preferr'd before him mean time he let her understand that he was not ignorant of what was said of Sansac's Change and it was after a manner that in some degree did qualifie Madmoiselle of Roye's disorder She sufficiently esteem'd this Count to oblige her to be sincere with him Take the pleasure of revenging your self of me said she I ought to let you enjoy that Triumph Well it is true I know that Sansac does leave me for Madam of Tournon Is it possible Madmoiselle said he can that be Though it has been told me though you confirm it I too much know the impossibility of ceasing from loving you to be brought to believe it There is nothing more true said she but what is therein that is incredible There are nothing but Examples of Inconstancy seen Madmoiselle said he to her do you see none other Do you not know a Lover despis'd hated and still constant I know him not despis'd nor hated said she again with an Air that he had not yet seen I begin to make a difference betwixt him and all other men I was design'd it may be to do him justice one day and that day may be come Alas Madmoiselle deceive not your self in it this day is still one of those which you give to Sansac and he would be the more happy for it if he could be sensible of his Happiness though you would make me useful in your revenge it would be without any favourable thoughts for me Sansac is very dear to you seeing that his Crime does engage you to say some flattering things to his Rival Thus did the Count of Amboise give Madmoiselle of Roye to understand that she had less design to make him sensible of her acknowledgment than of causing some further displeasure of Sansac Yet Hope was creeping again into the Count's Heart it was a great Point got not to have any longer to fear any tenderness towards a Rival and to have none to combate but that of Madmoiselle of Roye which she her self did oppose Madam of Tournon did still continue a Commerce of Letters with that Marquess she had got insensibly so far as to make him apprehend that she would willingly have afforded him some comfort for Madmoiselle of Roye's infidelity he had seiz'd on that opportunity to endeavour to forget her the desire which he had so to do did sometimes make him hope that he should succeed in it and give a certain lively Air to his Letters at which Madam of Tournon was very well pleas'd Mean time he did much less mind to perswade her that he lov'd her than to convince Madmoiselle of Roye of it which he durst not yet see The Count of Sansac his Father's sickness was a reason that might detain him at Tours he did write to his Friends that he was in Love with that Countess and they no longer did mention Madmoiselle of Roye to him because he had desired them to forbear without giving any reason for it During the time that Sancerre was still number'd amongst Madmoiselle of Roye's Friends Madam of Tournon had writ to him that they were in a perfect Intelligence and since that time no body had inform'd him to the contrary This Countess which frequently receiv'd Letters from Sansac because she writ to him every day did cause the most passionate of them to be shewn to Madmoiselle of Roye as if they had been surpris'd Madmoiselle of Roye did enter into an unconceivable Anger at them and Sansac's inconstancy did work more advantageously for Monsieur of Amboise than all that Lover's Services could do The Count of Sansac dyed about that time and his Death did set his Son at liberty of finishing his Marriage with Madmoiselle of Roye but he took no advantage of it Madam of Tournon who no longer could perceive any other obstacle to it than those which she produc'd redoubled her Artifices she caus'd to be spred abroad that she should marry that Marquess so soon as he should return to Paris where he was suddenly to be to receive the King's Orders Madam of Tournon's Design was to engage before that time Madmoiselle of Roye to fix on some other Person Madam of Roye could not bear the Affront which was offer'd her Daughter she told her that it concern'd their Honour to prevent Sansac's Designs Madmoiselle of Roye was the most irritated and sought after nothing but Revenge The Mareshal of Cosse at that juncture of time did cause some Propositions of Marriage to be made to her but the disproportion of their Age did oblige Madam of Roye to be in a Suspence notwithstanding the great Advantages which she might expect from that Establishment The Count of Amboise did still entertain the same Passion for Madmoiselle of Roye which he ever had tho' he had more than once given over that pursuit But those Reasons which had oblig'd him so to do were no longer existent nothing was more proper for that beautiful Creature than a Person who had always lov'd her most tenderly and whom she esteem'd above all other men Madam of Roye did ask that Count's Advice as of a Friend on the Mareshal of Cosse at which he was seiz'd with such a Trembling as hindred him from answering I perceive with a Surprise said she to him that whatsoever concerns my Daughter is not yet become indifferent to you mean time all that you have done already did give me occasion to believe that you might see her without trouble to marry another You know that I had design'd her for you and that I had preferr'd you to all other men if you would have taken advantage from thence I have nothing to answer you Madam said he you cannot be ignorant of the dispositions in which I shall persist all my