The prince forgot that he was the cause of this apparent
mystery, and his fears returned.

He received the letter from the Prince de Conde with a
haggard look, unsealed it as he would have unsealed a
suspicious packet, and in order to read it so that no one
should remark the effects of it upon his countenance, he
turned round.

Madame followed, with an anxiety almost equal to that of the
prince, every maneuver of her august husband.

Raoul, impassible, and a little disengaged by the attention
of his hosts, looked from his place through the open window
at the gardens and the statues which peopled them.

"Well!" cried Monsieur, all at once, with a cheerful smile;
"here is an agreeable surprise, and a charming letter from
M. le Prince. Look, Madame!"

The table was too large to allow the arm of the prince to
reach the hand of Madame; Raoul sprang forward to be their
intermediary, and did it with so good a grace as to procure
a flattering acknowledgment from the princess.

"You know the contents of this letter, no doubt?" said
Gaston to Raoul.

"Yes, monseigneur; M. le Prince at first gave me the message
verbally, but upon reflection his highness took up his pen."