M.de Guiche was left alone in the king's cabinet, the whole of the company having departed.

Shadows seemed to dance before his eyes.
He suddenly broke through the settled despair that overwhelmed him, and flew to hide himself in his own room, where Raoul awaited him, immovable in his own sad presentiments.
"Well ?" he murmured, seeing his friend enter, bareheaded, with a wild gaze and tottering gait.
"Yes, yes, it is true," said De Guiche, unable to utter more, and falling exhausted upon the couch.
"And she ?" inquired Raoul.
"She," exclaimed his unhappy friend, as he raised his hand clenched in anger, towards Heaven.

"She!--" "What did she say and do ?" "She said that her dress suited her admirably, and then she laughed." A fit of hysteric laughter seemed to shatter his nerves, for he fell backwards, completely overcome..