"Excuse me, madame," said he, "it seems I commit nothing but follies here; I am not yet accustomed to the habits of Paris. Among us in the provinces, 200 leagues off, when a woman says 'I love,' she loves, and does not hold herself aloof, or take pretexts for humiliating the man at her feet. It is your custom as a Parisian, and your right as a princess. I accept it, therefore, only I have not been accustomed to it. The habit, doubtless, will come in time."
"Ah! you are angry, I believe," said the duchess, haughtily.
"I am, madame, but it is against myself; for I have for you, madame, not a passing caprice, but a real love. It is your heart I seek to obtain, and therefore I am angry with myself for having compromised the respect that I owe you, and which I will only change into love when you command me. From this moment, madame, I await your orders."
"Come, come, do not exaggerate, M. de Carmainges; now you are all ice, after being all flame."
"A truce to politeness; I do not wish to play the princess. Here is my hand, take it; it is that of a simple woman."
Ernanton took this beautiful hand respectfully.
"Well, you do not kiss it!" cried the duchess; "are you mad, or have you sworn to put me in a passion?"
"Just now I drew it away, while now I give it to you."
Ernanton kissed the hand, which was then withdrawn.
"Another lesson," said he. "Assuredly you will end by killing my passion. I may adore you on my knees; but I should have neither love nor confidence for you."
"Oh! I do not wish that, for you would be a sad lover, and it is not so that I like them. No, remain natural, be yourself, M. Ernanton, and nothing else. I have caprices. Oh! mon Dieu, you told me I was beautiful, and all beautiful women have them. Do not fear me; and when I say to the too impetuous Ernanton, 'Calm yourself,' let him consult my eyes and not my voice."
It was time, for the young man seized her in his arms, and his lips touched her mask; but through this mask her eyes darted such a flaming glance that he drew back.
"Well," said she, "we shall meet again. Decidedly you please me, M. de Carmainges." Ernanton bowed.
"Ah! your service is fatiguing, is it not?"
"That which you perform near the king. Are you not some kind of guard to his majesty?"