Madam de Cleves was in the utmost affliction; her husband did not leave
her, and no sooner was her mother expired, but he carried her into the
country, that she might not have in her eye a place which could serve
only to sharpen her sorrow, which was scarce to be equalled. Though
tenderness and gratitude had the greatest share in her griefs, yet the
need which she found she had of her mother to guard her against the
Duke of Nemours added no small weight to them; she found she was
unhappy in being left to herself, at a time when she was so little
mistress of her own 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 of an
unhappy man, that it was impossible for me to leave him. As for Madam
de Tournon, I do not advise you not to be concerned for her, if you
lament her as a woman full of discretion, and worthy of your esteem."
"You surprise me," answered Madam de Cleves, "I have heard you say
several times, that there was not a lady at Court you had a greater
respect for."