Page:Ten Years Later 2.djvu/101

TEN YEAES LATER. 91 "I am, monsieur; but this morning I was with him as he was dressing, and I let a bottle of blacking fall over his new dress, and he flew at me with his sword in his hand, so that I was obliged to make my escape. That is the reason I could not ask him for a ticket; he would have killed me." "I can believe it," said Kaoul. "I know Manicamp is capable of killing a man who has been unfortunate enough to commit the crime you have to reproach yourself with in his eyes, but I will repair the mischief as far as you are con- cerned; I will but fasten my cloak, and shall then be ready to serve you, not only as a guide, but as an introducer also." CHAPTEE XIV. THE SURPRISE OF M3IE. DE MONTALAIS. Madame's marriage was celebrated in the chapel of the Palais Royal, in the presence of a crowd of courtiers, who had been most scrupulously selected. However, notwith- standing the marked favor which an invitation indicated, Kaoul, faithful to his promise to Malicorne, who was so anxious to witness the ceremony, obtained admission for him. , After he had fulfilled this engagement, Kaoul ap- proached De Guiche, who, as if in contrast with his magnifi- cent costume, exhibited a countenance so utterly cast down by intense grief that the Duke of Buckingham was the only one present who could contend with him as far as extreme pallor and dejection were concerned. "Take care, count," said Kaoul, approaching his friend, and preparing to support him at the moment the archbishop blessed the married couple. In fact, the Prince of Conde was attentively scrutinizing these two images of desolation, standing like caryatides at either side of the nave of the church. The count, consequently, kept a more careful watch over himself. At the termination of the ceremony the king and queen passed onward toward the grand reception-room, where madame and her suite were to be presented to them. It was remarked that the king, who had seemed more than surprised at his sister-in-law's appearance, was most flatter- ing in his compliments to her. Again, it was remarked that the queen-mother, fixing a long and thoughtful gaze upon Buckingham, leaned toward Mme. de Mottcville as