His looks were of the most reassuring character.

"Monsieur," said he to De Guiche, "was in an excellent humor, and no none could say that the slightest cloud had passed across the conjugal sky.

Besides, Monsieur was not one to bear ill-feeling." For a long time past, during his residence at the court, the Chevalier de Lorraine had decided, that of Louis XIII.'s two sons, Monsieur was the one who had inherited the father's character--an uncertain, irresolute character; impulsively good, indifferently disposed at bottom; but certainly a cipher for his friends.

He especially cheered De Guiche, by pointing out to him that Madame would, before long, succeed in governing her husband, and that, consequently, that man would govern Monsieur who should succeed in influencing Madame.
To this, De Guiche full of mistrust and presence of mind, replied, "Yes, chevalier; but I believe Madame to be a very dangerous person." "In what respect ?" "She has perceived that Monsieur is not very passionately inclined towards women." "Quite true," said the Chevalier de Lorraine, laughing.
"In that case, Madame will choose the first one who approaches, in order to make him the object of her preference, and to bring back her husband by jealousy." "Deep! deep!" exclaimed the chevalier.
"But true," replied De Guiche.
Neither the one nor the other expressed his real thought.

De Guiche, at the very moment he thus attacked Madame's character, mentally asked her forgiveness from the bottom of his heart.