It is impossible you can be suspicious of Madame ?" "No, no, chevalier; I do not suspect Madame; but in fact, I observe--I compare--" "Buckingham was a madman, monseigneur." "A madman about whom, however, you opened my eyes thoroughly." "No, no," said the chevalier, quickly; "it was not I who opened your eyes, it was De Guiche.

Do not confound us, I beg." And he began to laugh in so harsh a manner that it sounded like the hiss of a serpent.
"Yes, yes; I remember.

You said a few words, but De Guiche showed the most jealousy." "I should think so," continued the chevalier, in the same tone.

"He was fighting for home and altar." "What did you say ?" said the duke, haughtily, thoroughly roused by this insidious jest.
"Am I not right?
for does not M.de Guiche hold the chief post of honor in your household ?" "Well," replied the duke, somewhat calmed, "had this passion of Buckingham been remarked ?" "Certainly." "Very well.

Do people say that M.de Guiche's is remarked as much ?" "Pardon me, monseigneur; you are again mistaken; no one says that M.de Guiche entertains anything of the sort." "Very good." "You see, monseigneur, that it would have been better, a hundred times better, to have left me in my retirement, than to have allowed you to conjure up, by aid of any scruples I may have had, suspicions which Madame will regard as crimes, and she would be in the right, too." "What would you do ?" "Act reasonably." "In what way ?" "I should not pay the slightest attention to the society of these new Epicurean philosophers; and, in that way, the rumors will cease." "Well, I will see; I will think it over." "Oh, you have time enough; the danger is not great; and then, besides, it is not a question of danger or of passion.