As, however, the Chevalier de Lorraine, who had seen the prince return to the chateau, entered the room, Monsieur overwhelmed him with kindness.
The former, after having saluted the prince, remained silent for a moment, like a sharpshooter who deliberates before deciding in what direction he will renew his fire; then, seeming to make up his mind, he said, "Have you remarked a very singular coincidence, monseigneur ?" "No; what is it ?" "The bad reception which his majesty, in appearance, gave the Comte de Guiche." "In appearance ?" "Yes, certainly; since, in reality, he has restored him to favor." "I did not notice it," said the prince.
"What, did you not remark, that, instead of ordering him to go away again into exile, as was natural, he encouraged him in his opposition by permitting him to resume his place in the ballet ?" "And you think the king was wrong, chevalier ?" said the prince.
"Are you not of my opinion, prince ?" "Not altogether so, my dear chevalier; and I think the king was quite right not to have made a disturbance against a poor fellow whose want of judgment is more to be complained of than his intention." "Really," said the chevalier, "as far as I am concerned, I confess that this magnanimity astonishes me to the highest degree." "Why so ?" inquired Philip.
"Because I should have thought the king had been more jealous," replied the chevalier, spitefully.

During the last few minutes Monsieur had felt there was something of an irritating nature concealed under his favorite's remarks; this last word, however, ignited the powder.
"Jealous!" exclaimed the prince.

"Jealous! what do you mean?
Jealous of what, if you please--or jealous of whom ?" The chevalier perceived that he had allowed an excessively mischievous remark to escape him, as he was in the habit of doing.

He endeavored, therefore, apparently to recall it while it was still possible to do so.
"Jealous of his authority," he said, with an assumed frankness; "of what else would you have the king jealous ?" "Ah!" said the prince, "that's very proper." "Did your royal highness," continued the chevalier, "solicit dear De Guiche's pardon ?" "No, indeed," said Monsieur.

"De Guiche is an excellent fellow, and full of courage; but as I do not approve of his conduct with Madame, I wish him neither harm nor good." The chevalier had assumed a bitterness with regard to De Guiche, as he had attempted to do with regard to the king; but he thought he perceived that the time for indulgence, and even for the utmost indifference, had arrived, and that, in order to throw some light on the question, it might be necessary for him to put the lamp, as the saying is, beneath the husband's very nose.
"Very well, very well," said the chevalier to himself, "I must wait for De Wardes; he will do more in one day than I in a month; for I verily believe he is even more envious than I.Then, again, it is not De Wardes I require so much as that some event or another should happen; and in the whole of this affair I see none.