France -- History -- Henry III, 1574-1589 -- Fiction
Diana, whose heart seemed relieved from an enormous weight since she had
heard the false news of the duke's death, had, almost for the first time
since her father's death, eaten something more substantial than bread,
and drunk a little wine. After this she grew sleepy, and Remy had left
her, and was sleeping outside her door, not from any suspicion, but
because such had been his habit ever since they had left Paris.
Diana herself slept with her elbow on the table and her head leaning on
her hand. A little lamp burned on the table, and all looked peaceful
here, where such tempestuous emotions had raged and would soon again. In
the glass sparkled the Rhine wine, scarcely touched by Diana. She, with
her eyes closed, her eyelids veined with azure, her mouth slightly
opened, her hair thrown back, looked like a sublime vision to the eyes
that were violating the sanctity of her retreat. The duke, on perceiving
her, could hardly repress his admiration, and leaned over to examine
every detail of her ideal beauty. But all at once he frowned, and came
down two or three steps with a kind of nervous precipitation, and
leaning back against the wall, crossed his arms and appeared to reflect.
Aurilly watched him as he stood there, with a dreamy air, like a man
trying to recall some old souvenir. After a few minutes he remounted and
looked in again, but Aurilly called out, "Quick! quick! monseigneur,
come down; I hear steps."
The duke came down, but slowly.
"It was time," said Aurilly.
"Whence comes the sound?"
"From there," said Aurilly, pointing to a dark street. "But the sound
has ceased; it must have been some spy watching us."
"Remove the ladder."
Aurilly obeyed; however, no one appeared, and they heard no more noise.
"Well, monseigneur, is she beautiful?" said Aurilly.
"Very beautiful," said the prince, abstractedly.
"What makes you sad then? Did she see you?"
"No, she was asleep."
"Then what is the matter?"
"Aurilly, it is strange, but I have seen that woman somewhere."
"You recognized her, then?"
"No, I could not think of her name; but her face gave me a fearful
shock. I cannot tell how it is; but I believe I did wrong to look."
"However, just on account of the impression she has made on you, we must
find out who she is."
"Certainly we must."
"Seek well in your memory, monseigneur; is it at court you have seen
her?"
"No, I think not."
"In France, Navarre, Flanders?"
"No."
"A Spaniard perhaps."
"I do not think so."
"An English lady, one of Queen Elizabeth's?"
"No, I seem to know her more intimately, and that she appeared to me in
some terrible scene."
"Then you would have recognized her at once; you have not seen many such
scenes."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account