The rumor of this extravagant profuseness delighted the hearts of all the shopkeepers in Paris; from the hotel of the Duke of Buckingham to that of the Comte de Gramont nothing but miracles was attempted.

While all this was going on, Madame was resting herself, and Bragelonne was engaged in writing to Mademoiselle de la Valliere.

He had already dispatched four letters, and not an answer to any one of them had been received, when, on the very morning fixed for the marriage ceremony, which was to take place in the chapel at the Palais Royal, Raoul, who was dressing, heard his valet announce M.de Malicorne.

"What can this Malicorne want with me ?" thought Raoul; and then said to his valet, "Let him wait." "It is a gentleman from Blois," said the valet.
"Admit him at once," said Raoul, eagerly.
Malicorne entered as brilliant as a star, and wearing a superb sword at his side.

After having saluted Raoul most gracefully, he said: "M.