affections, and when she so much wished for somebody to pity and
encourage her. The Prince of Cleves's behaviour to her on this
occasion, made her wish more ardently than ever, never to fail in
her duty to him; she also expressed more friendship and affection
for him than she had done before; she would not suffer him to
leave her, and she seemed to think that his being constantly with
her could defend her against the Duke of Nemours.

The Duke came to see the Prince of Cleves in the country; he did
what he could to pay a visit also to Madam de Cleves, but she
refused to receive him; and being persuaded she could not help
finding something dangerously lovely in him, she made a strong
resolution to forbear seeing him, and to avoid all occasions of
it that were in her power.

The Prince of Cleves went to Paris to make his Court, and
promised his lady to return the next day, but however he did not
return till the day after. "I expected you yesterday," said
Madam de Cleves to him on his arrival, "and I ought to chide you
for not having come as you promised; you know, if I was capable
of feeling a new affliction in the condition I am in, it would be
the death of Madam de Tournon, and I have heard of it this
morning; I should have been concerned, though I had not known
her; it is a melting consideration to think that a lady so young
and handsome as she, should be dead in two days; but besides, she
was the person in the world that pleased me most, and who
appeared to have discretion equal to her beauty."

"I am sorry I could not return yesterday," replied the Prince
of Cleves, "but my presence was so necessary to the consolation