“If we can believe d’Herouville, our dear Canalis stands in no need of your help in that direction,” said the duke, smiling.  “Yesterday Grandlieu read me some passages from a letter the grand equerry had written him.  No doubt they were dictated by the aunt for the express purpose of their reaching you, for Mademoiselle d’Herouville, always on the scent of a ‘dot,’ knows that Grandlieu and I play whist nearly every evening.  That good little d’Herouville wants the Prince de Cadignan to go down and give a royal hunt in Normandy, and endeavor to persuade the king to be present, so as to turn the head of the damozel when she sees herself the object of such a grand affair.  In short, two words from Charles X. would settle the matter.  D’Herouville says the girl has incomparable beauty—­”

“Henri, let us go to Havre!” cried the duchess, interrupting him.

“Under what pretext?” said her husband, gravely; he was one of the confidants of Louis XVIII.

“I never saw a hunt.”

“It would be all very well if the king went; but it is a terrible bore to go so far, and he will not do it; I have just been speaking with him about it.”

“Perhaps Madame would go?”

“That would be better,” returned the duke, “I dare say the Duchesse de Maufrigneuse would help you to persuade her from Rosny.  If she goes the king will not be displeased at the use of his hunting equipage.  Don’t go to Havre, my dear,” added the duke, paternally, “that would be giving yourself away.  Come, here’s a better plan, I think.  Gaspard’s chateau of Rosembray is on the other side of the forest of Brotonne; why not give him a hint to invite the whole party?”

“He invite them?” said Eleonore.

“I mean, of course, the duchess; she is always engaged in pious works with Mademoiselle d’Herouville; give that old maid a hint, and get her to speak to Gaspard.”

“You are a love of a man,” cried Eleonore; “I’ll write to the old maid and to Diane at once, for we must get hunting things made,—­a riding hat is so becoming.  Did you win last night at the English embassy?”

“Yes,” said the duke; “I cleared myself.”

“Henri, above all things, stop proceedings about Melchior’s two appointments.”

After writing half a dozen lines to the beautiful Diane de Maufrigneuse, and a short hint to Mademoiselle d’Herouville, Eleonore sent the following answer like the lash of a whip through the poet’s lies.

  To Monsieur le Baron de Canalis:—­

My dear poet,—­Mademoiselle de La Bastie is very beautiful; Mongenod has proved to me that her father has millions.  I did think of marrying you to her; I am therefore much displeased at your want of confidence.  If you had any intention of marrying La Briere when you went to Havre it is surprising that you said nothing to me about it before you started.  And why have you omitted writing to a friend who is so easily made