were admiring how much he's changed since his return from
Brussels; before he went there, he had an infinite number of
mistresses, and it was his own fault, for he showed an equal
regard to those who had merit, and to those who had none; since
his return he neither knows the one nor the other; there never
was so great a change; I find his humour is changed too, and that
he is less gay than he used to be."

The Princess of Cleves made no answer; and it shocked her to
think she should have taken all that they said of the change in
the Duke for proofs of his passion for her, had she not been
undeceived; she felt in herself some little resentment against
the Queen-Dauphin, for endeavouring to find out reasons, and
seeming surprised at a thing, which she probably knew more of
than anyone else; she could not forbear showing something of it;
and when the other ladies withdrew, she came up and told her in a
low voice, "And is it I, Madam, you have been pointing at, and
have you a mind to conceal, that you are she who has made such an
alteration in the conduct of the Duke of Nemours?" "You do me
injustice," answered the Queen-Dauphin, "you know I conceal
nothing from you; it is true the Duke of Nemours, before he went
to Brussels, had, I believe, an intention to let me know he did
not hate me; but since his return, it has not so much as appeared
that he remembers anything of what he has done; and I acknowledge
I have a curiosity to know what it is has changed him so: it
would not be very difficult for me to unravel this affair,"
added she; "the Viscount de Chartres, his intimate friend, is in
love with a lady with whom I have some power, and I'll know by
that means the occasion of this alteration." The Queen-Dauphin
spoke with an air of sincerity which convinced the Princess of