“Oh! oh! Guiche, what a protector you have become of young ladies,” said the prince, “you never speak of any one else now!”
The Chevalier de Lorraine smiled, for he knew very well that nothing displeased the prince more than to show any interest in ladies. “My lord,” said the comte, “it is not I who am directly interested in the lady of whom I have just spoken; I am acting on behalf of one of my friends.”
“Ah! that is different; what is the name of the young lady in whom your friend is interested?”
“Mlle. de la Baume le Blanc de la Valliere; she is already maid of honor to the dowager princess.”
“Why, she is lame,” said the Chevalier de Lorraine, stretching himself on his cushions.
“Lame,” repeated the prince, “and Madame to have her constantly before her eyes? Most certainly not; it may be dangerous for her when in an interesting condition.”
The Chevalier de Lorraine burst out laughing.
“Chevalier,” said Guiche, “your conduct is ungenerous; while I am soliciting a favor, you do me all the mischief you can.”
“Forgive me, comte,” said the Chevalier de Lorraine, somewhat uneasy at the tone in which Guiche had made his remark, “but I had no intention of doing so, and I begin to believe that I have mistaken one young lady for another.”
“There is no doubt of it, monsieur; and I do not hesitate to declare that such is the case.”