She
will never enter into your life, my good comrade."
"I am merely curious, indifferently curious. It is something to talk
about. I daresay that she is pretty. Homely women never flee from
anything but mirrors."
"And homely men," laughed the poet. "I am going to see Bouchard for a
moment."
Du Puys, D'Herouville and the vicomte drew their stools around the
Chevalier, and discussed politics, religion, and women.
"Why is it that women intrigue?" asked the Chevalier, recalling the
grey mask. "Is it because they wish the great to smile on them?"
"No," replied the vicomte; "rather that they wish to smile on the
great. Women love secret power, that power which comes from behind the
puppet-booth. A man must stand before his audience to appear as great;
woman becomes most powerful when her power is not fully known. The
king's mistress has ever been the mistress of the king."
"And Marie de Touchet?" asked Du Puys.
"Charles IX was not a fool; he was mad." D'Herouville smoothed his
beard.
Presently the Chevalier said to the vicomte: "Monsieur, will you be so
kind as to seek my lackey? I am growing chilly and desire a shawl or a
cloak.
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