Behold us then walking this way and that, quite by chance, without
however going any distance from the pavilion. Madame de Bearn,
not liking the vicinity of the chateau, was desirous to go into the
wood. I declined this under vain excuses, when suddenly madame
de Mirepoix and madame de Flaracourt appeared at the end of
a very short walk.
"Let us turn this way," said the countess to me, "here comes one
of our enemies, whom it would be as well to avoid."
"Why turn away?" I replied; "she is alone, we are two, and then
the marechale de Mirepoix is not opposed to us."
Saying this, I advanced towards them. Madame de Flaracourt appeared
very gracious: I replied to her advances with due politeness, and
instead of separating, we continued to walk about together. Madame
de Bearn saw clearly that chance was not the sole cause of this
meeting: she dissembled as well as she could. I afterwards learnt
that she owed me a spite, particularly for the mystery which I had
made of this occurrence. The marked silence, and the sullen air
she assumed during this interview, and which her sense and
knowledge of the world should have prevented her from manifesting,
proved to me, on this occasion, as on many other others, that
temper cannot always be conquered, and that at times it will burst
forth in spite of the experience and caution of the courtier.
I did not give myself much trouble on this subject: I had well
recompensed the good offices of the countess: I had ample proof
that in serving me she had acted on the impulse of self-interest:
we were quits, I thought, and I saw no reason why I should
remain isolated just to serve her pleasure.
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