LOUISE DE LA VALLIERB. 241 "Look yonder, at the turning of that path; he is jtist out of sight, with Miss Stewart. Are these polite attentions usual in France, Monsieur le Comte?'* "I cannot very precisely say what people do in France, mademoiselle, for I can hardly be called a Frenchman. I have resided in many countries, and almost always as a soldier; and then I have spent a long period of my life in the country. I am almost a savage." "You do not like your residence in England, I fear?"
- I scarcely know," said Eaoul inattentively, and sighing
deeply at the same time. "What! you do not know?" "Forgive me," said Eaoul, shaking his head, and collect- ing his thoughts, "I did not hear you." "Oh!" said the young girl, sighing in her turn, "how wrong the duke was to send me here!" "Wrong?" said Eaoul. "Perhaps so; for I am but a rude, uncouth companion, and my society annoys you. The duke was, indeed, very wrong to send you." "It is precisely," replied Mary Grafton, in a clear, calm voice, "because your society does not annoy me that the duke was wrong to send me to you." It was now Eaoul's turn to blush. "But," he resumed, "how happens it that the Duke of Buckingham should send you to me, and why should you have come? The duke loves you, and you love him." "No," replied Mary seriously; "the duke does not love me, because he is in love with the Duchessed'Orleans; and, as for myself, I have no affection for the duke." Eaoul looked at the young lady with astonishment. "Are you a friend of the Duke of Buckingham?" she inquired. "The duke has honored me by calling me so ever since we met in France." "You are simple acquaintances, then?" "No; for the duke is the most intimate friend of one whom I regard as a brother." "The Due de Guiche?" "Yes." "He who is in love with Madame la Duchesse d'Orleans." "Oh! what is that you are saying?" "And who loves him in return," continued the young girl quietly. Eaoul bent down his head, and Mary Grafton, sighing deeply, continued: K Dumas— Vol. XVI.
