Meanwhile the duke had not again seen his daughter; thus, when he spoke of going to finish with her, it was rather a pardon than a quarrel that he went to seek. Dubois had not been duped by this pretended resolution; but Riom was gone, and that was all he wanted; he hoped to slip in some new personage who should efface all memory of Riom, who was to be sent to join the Maréchal de Berwick in Spain. The carriage stopped before the Luxembourg, which was lighted as usual. The duke ascended the steps with his usual celerity, Dubois remained in a corner of the carriage. Presently the duke appeared at the door with a disappointed air. "Ah, monseigneur," said Dubois, "are you refused admittance?" "No, the duchesse is not here." "Where, then--at the Carmelites?" "No, at Meudon." "At Meudon, in February, and in such weather; what can she be doing there?" "It is easy to know." "How?" "Let us go to Meudon." "To Meudon!" said the regent, jumping into the carriage; "I allow you five-and-twenty minutes to get there." "I would humbly beg to remind monseigneur," said the coachman, "that the horses have already gone ten leagues." "Kill them, but be at Meudon in five-and-twenty minutes." There was no reply to be made to such an order; the coachman whipped his horses, and the noble animals set out at as brisk a pace as if they had just left the stable. Throughout the drive Dubois was silent, and the regent thoughtful; there was nothing on the route to arrest the attention of either, and they arrived at Meudon full of contradictory reflections. This time both alighted; Dubois, thinking the interview might be long, was anxious to find a more comfortable waiting-place than a carriage. At the door they found a Swiss in full livery--he stopped them--the duke made himself known. "Pardon," said the Swiss, "I did not know that monseigneur was expected." "Expected or not, I am here; send word to the princess." "Monseigneur is to be at the ceremony?" asked the Swiss, who seemed embarrassed. "Yes, of course," put in Dubois, stopping the duke, who was about to ask what ceremony; "and I also." "Then shall I lead monseigneur at once to the chapel?" "To the chapel?" asked the duke. "Yes; for the ceremony is already commenced." "Ah, Dubois," said the duke, "is she also going to take the veil?" "Monseigneur," said Dubois, "I should rather say she is going to be married." "Pardieu!" exclaimed the regent, "that would crown all;" and he darted toward the staircase, followed by Dubois. "Does not monseigneur wish me to guide him?" asked the Swiss. "It is needless," cried the regent; "I know the way." Indeed--with an agility surprising in so corpulent a man--the regent darted through the rooms and corridors, and arrived at the door of the chapel, which appeared to be closed, but yielded to the first touch. Dubois was right.